# SK Tech ## Posts - [God's Eye: BYD's latest ADAS System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gods-eye-byds-latest-adas-system/): BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently unveiled its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) known as “God’s Eye.” This innovative system aims to democratize smart driving technology by making it standard across a wide range of BYD models, including budget-friendly options like the Seagull hatchback. By integrating “God’s Eye” into its vehicles, BYD seeks […] - [Framework Unveils New Modular Laptops and Desktop PC for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/framework-unveils-new-modular-laptops-and-desktop-pc-for-2025/): Framework has launched three innovative products: the Framework Laptop 12, a compact convertible; the upgraded Framework Laptop 13, featuring improved performance and modularity; and its first-ever Framework Desktop PC. Emphasizing sustainability and user empowerment, each device promotes repairability, reducing electronic waste while delivering high performance and customization options for users. - [NASA and Nokia Partner to Build the First Cellular Network on the Moon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nasa-and-nokia-partner-to-build-the-first-cellular-network-on-the-moon/): In a groundbreaking venture that bridges cutting-edge telecommunications and space exploration, Nokia and NASA have embarked on a mission to establish the first cellular network on the Moon. This ambitious project is not just about deploying technology—it’s about enabling a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By leveraging LTE/4G technology, the partnership aims to […] - [iPhone 16e: The affordable iPhone, Really?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/iphone-16e-the-affordable-iphone-really/): Apple has launched the iPhone 16e in India as a budget-friendly option within the iPhone 16 series, starting at ₹59,900. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, A18 chip, and 48MP camera. While it offers good performance, consumers may consider other models for additional features. Pre-orders start February 21, 2025. - [Microsoft's Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: The Majorana 1 Chip](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-breakthrough-in-quantum-computing-the-majorana-1-chip/): Microsoft has announced a significant milestone in quantum computing with the introduction of the Majorana 1 chip. This innovation marks a leap forward in the development of practical quantum computers, leveraging a novel Topological Core architecture based on Majorana quasiparticles. This new approach promises to accelerate the transition from theoretical quantum systems to scalable, real-world […] - [Stellantis and Mistral AI Team Up to Revolutionize Automotive Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/stellantis-and-mistral-ai-team-up-to-revolutionize-automotive-technology/): The partnership between Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automakers, and Mistral AI, a cutting-edge French artificial intelligence firm, represents a significant turning point in the integration of advanced technology within the automotive industry. This strategic collaboration not only promises to enhance in-car experiences but also revolutionize vehicle engineering, manufacturing processes, and internal operations. With […] - [Delivering Humans under 10 Min: Topmate.io](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/delivering-humans-under-10-min-topmate-io/): In an era where instant gratification is the norm, a groundbreaking Indian startup, Topmate.io, has taken the concept of rapid delivery to an unprecedented level. While services like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart have set benchmarks by delivering groceries in under 10 minutes, Topmate.io has upped the ante by promising to “deliver” human expertise within the […] - [Zomato's Rebranding](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zomatos-rebranding/): In a strategic move to reflect its diversified business operations, Zomato Limited has announced a rebranding of its parent company to “Eternal Limited.” This change, approved by the company’s board of directors, signifies Zomato’s evolution beyond its core food delivery services. Expansion into Multiple Verticals Eternal Limited will encompass four primary business segments: This rebranding […] - [DeepSeek: Transforming the AI Landscape](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deepseek-transforming-the-ai-landscape/): Introduction In the realm of artificial intelligence, the entry of new players can dramatically shift the balance of power. This is especially true when a startup not only matches but also challenges the capabilities of some of the industry’s most well-funded entities. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup founded in 2023, is one such disruptor. Its […] - [THe 500 Billion Dollar Project: Stargate Project](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-500-billion-dollar-project-stargate-project/): In a landmark move to solidify the United States’ position at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) development, leading technology firms have announced a monumental investment in AI infrastructure. On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the “Stargate Project,” a collaborative venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank Group, Oracle, and MGX, aiming to invest up to […] - [Sneak Peek into the unrealeased Creality CFS Upgrade Kit for K1 Series](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sneak-peek-into-the-unrealeased-creality-cfs-upgrade-kit-for-k1-series/): Creality enthusiasts, rejoice! A buzz is building around the CFS Upgrade Kit for Creality’s K1 series printers. While this product hasn’t been officially launched yet, some online platforms are already listing the kit, and an unlisted video—presumably from Creality itself—has surfaced, providing a tantalizing glimpse into what might be one of the most exciting upgrades […] - [Creality Hi Combo: A New Era in 3D Printing Innovation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/creality-hi-combo-a-new-era-in-3d-printing-innovation/): The 3D printing industry is buzzing with excitement as Creality, a leading name in the world of additive manufacturing, unveils its latest product—the Creality Hi Combo. This revolutionary device is set to redefine 3D printing, combining unparalleled efficiency, versatility, and user-friendly features that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Specifications The Creality Hi Combo […] - [Apple Eavesdropping Case: A Deep Dive into Privacy Concerns](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-eavesdropping-case-a-deep-dive-into-privacy-concerns/): In an age dominated by smart devices and interconnected ecosystems, the line between convenience and privacy is thinner than ever. Apple, a tech giant known for championing user privacy, found itself embroiled in controversy over an alleged eavesdropping case. This incident has sparked widespread discussions about the trustworthiness of smart devices and the companies that […] - [Mouse Without Borders: The Ultimate Productivity Tool in Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mouse-without-borders-the-ultimate-productivity-tool-in-windows-powertoys/): Imagine seamlessly controlling multiple computers with just one keyboard and mouse—no need for extra hardware or cables cluttering your desk. That’s exactly what the Mouse Without Borders feature in Windows PowerToys offers. Designed for users juggling multiple PCs, this innovative tool ensures a streamlined workflow and enhanced productivity. What is Mouse Without Borders? Mouse Without […] - [Samsung Wall-E !!! Sorry Ballie](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-wall-e-sorry-ballie/): Imagine having a tiny, rolling robot that’s more than just a gadget — your companion, helper, and little home assistant. Meet Samsung Ballie, the cutest thing to roll out of CES 2020. This little guy is packed with smarts, charm, and enough tech wizardry to make your life smoother, more connected, and a lot more […] - [NVIDIA at CES 2025: Shaping the Future of AI, Gaming, and Robotics](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nvidia-at-ces-2025-shaping-the-future-of-ai-gaming-and-robotics/): The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas served as a platform for NVIDIA to showcase transformative advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, robotics, and automotive technology. The company’s announcements solidified its position as a global leader in innovation, with groundbreaking products and partnerships that aim to redefine the technological landscape. NVIDIA CEO Jensen […] - [The Honey Trap: The Honey Scam](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-honey-trap-the-honey-scam/): The digital world is no stranger to controversy, but when it involves a tool loved by millions of online shoppers, the stakes get even higher. Honey, the popular browser extension once lauded for making online shopping more affordable, has recently been under fire. What started as a clever idea for saving money has now become […] - [UPS for Your WiFi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/ups-for-your-wifi/): If you have a home network that relies on WiFi, you might want to consider getting a WiFi UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to protect your devices and data from power outages. A WiFi UPS is a device that plugs into your router and provides backup power in case of a power failure. It can also […] - [Logitech K380 Keyboard](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/logitech-k380-keyboard/): If you are looking for a portable wireless keyboard that can connect to multiple devices and offer a comfortable typing experience, you might want to consider the Logitech K380 keyboard. This keyboard is compact, lightweight, and versatile, and it can work with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and even Apple TV. In this blog […] - [Dear OnePlus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/dear-oneplus/): I have not used this platform to say anything negative about products but in this article, I am going to express my personal disappointment. Your experience may vary greatly. This could sound harsh and direct as I have not minced my words by using feel-good words. First of all, I’ll give you some context about […] - [Google Storage Cleanup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/google-storage-cleanup/):  When Google announced the end of its unlimited photos storage everyone felt that someone near and dear to them had betrayed them. While the inevitable is going to happen one day we can at least delay it and avoid the expense of the privilege of the seamless backup experience. Although most of us are not […] - [Crucial Tool for RAM Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/crucial-tool-for-ram-upgrade/): I have seen many comments on my RAM upgrade videos asking if their laptops are upgradable and how much ram is supported or if the storage is supported or not. Today we will take a look at a tool by Crucial which will help you to see how much ram and storage is supported by […] - [Laptop SSD Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/laptop-ssd-upgrade/): Today we are upgrading the SSD of my Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop. It came with a 128GB M.2 SSD as the boot drive(C drive) which is very small by today’s standards. Even phones come with more storage nowadays. So first we will start with the backup of the data in the C drive. Remember we […] - [Microsoft Edge is testing a modern RSS feed that lets you follow YouTube creators](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/microsoft-edge-is-testing-a-modern-rss-feed-that-lets-you-follow-youtube-creators/): In the era of Influencers, vloggers, and content creators, every new method to follow our favorite online celebrities matters. The newest addition comes from Microsoft, through its Edge web browser. The latest Canary builds include a new “Followable Web” feature — on Windows at least. It allows users to easily follow select YouTube content creators […] - [Google Chrome will soon let you follow your favorite websites](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/google-chrome-will-soon-let-you-follow-your-favorite-websites/): Google Chrome is the most popular browser out there, be it PC or mobile. And being a market leader, it’s always looking to stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with new ideas and features. These new experiments don’t land directly on the stable version of Google Chrome. Rather, they first appear on the Google […] - [gReader ends a 4 year hiatus with a new update on Play Store](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/greader-ends-a-4-year-hiatus-with-a-new-update-on-play-store/): gReader, a popular RSS reader app, is receiving a new update on Google Play Store as the app marks an official return after a near 4 year hiatus. The v4.0.3 was the last update to the app and that was rolled out all the way back in March 2017. - [Best Amazon Great Indian Festival Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/best-amazon-great-indian-festival-deals/): SmartPhones Samsung Galaxy A51(₹2500 discount): https://amzn.to/3dyspZr Samsung Galaxy M01 Core (₹4,999/-):https://amzn.to/3566cOz  Samsung Galaxy M31 (₹ 15,499/-): https://amzn.to/3566ipp OnePlus 8 (start at ₹39,999/-): https://amzn.to/3m7x1ZN Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (₹ 49,999/-): https://amzn.to/37gzHA2 Samsung Galaxy M31 (3 months prime membership free ₹ 16,499/-): https://amzn.to/3dH4A1K Laptops Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5 (₹ 55,990/-): https://amzn.to/356hzpB HP Pavilion Gaming DK0268TX (₹62,990): https://amzn.to/2T4naaA ASUS VivoBook 14 Intel Core i5 (₹50,990): https://amzn.to/31eKYwR Lenovo […] - [PC Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/pc-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my windows computer. Task Manager Startup: The most basic way to speed up the startup time of a system is to disable the unnecessary startup software from the task manager. Open the task manager by right-clicking the taskbar. Then […] - [Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/amazon-prime-day-deals/):   SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I Card – C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card – SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN Brand Conquer Card Reader USB 30 All-in-1 USB 30USB CMicro Portronics Q-Charger Portable Universal Charging Hub with a QC 3.0 and 3 5V USB Ports and a Mobile Docking Station, Black BenQ 28-inch UHD 4K HDR JBL […] - [Ultimate Laptop Processor Guide (Intel)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/ultimate-laptop-processor-guide-intel/): The most important part we spend the most time in selecting while buying a new laptop is the processor and we are not wrong. The naming of most processors is at the very least confusing. In this post, we will see the naming scheme of Intel laptop processors. There is a lot more to a […] - [Best Headphones for lockdown](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-headphones-for-lockdown/): The most important thing that gained attention and popularity in lockdown is video conferencing, video calling. The most important thing for video calling is a good pair of headphones to wear all day and cope up with the stress of being connected all day. The best kind of headphones for this purpose is gaming headphones […] - [Become the Power User || Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/become-the-power-user-windows-powertoys/): Windows Power Toys is a windows utility tool that is developed by windows for power users which gives enhanced utility options that are not necessarily useful for normal users. The source code is available on GitHub here. This tool increases productivity by some features like fancy zones, image resizer in explorer, powerful renaming tool, keyboard […] - [The most powerful tool of your PC || Windows Task Manager](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-most-powerful-tool-of-your-pc-windows-task-manager/): Last month the developer of the windows task manager shared his story about task manager in his days at Microsoft. You can read it here. In this post, we’ll see the power of task manager and its uses to make you a power user. Usually, we open it when a software does not work properly […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Premium Midrange and Premium Samsung Phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-premium-midrange-and-premium-samsung-phone/): In this series of “If not Chinese then what?” today we are going to see the premium devices from Samsung and some underrated phones which are more value for money and compare directly to the flagships. Samsung has been experimenting with the A-series of its devices. The A80 is a phone that had the flip […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Midrange Budget Samsung](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-midrange-budget-samsung/): With the trend going on in India about banning the Chinese products I thought of compiling the non-Chinese brands which compete directly with the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.  In this post, I will be focusing on Android and mostly on Samsung as being a reputable brand and its devices are also available in […] - [Connect LCD Display to Arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/connect-lcd-display-to-arduino/): Connecting LCD to Arduino to display various things is fun if you know how to. It is very simple just follow the simple steps. Gather the things necessary to do so like Arduino (mega 2560 for example), LCD display(16×2), Jumper Wires, Potentiometers (1k/10k). Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram. I this example […] - [Using HC-SR04 (Ultrasonic sensor) with arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/using-hc-sr04-ultrasonic-sensor-with-arduino/): HC-SR04 is an ultrasonic sensor which works on the principle of ultrasonic waves. Basically it creates a pulse depending on the distance from the sensor. It has two eyes like structure one of which transmits the waves and the other acts as receiver. The sensor has 4 pins VCC, TRIG, ECHO, GND. When the sensor is […] - [OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/oneplus-bullets-wireless-z/): The new OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z have launched silently and have created quite the noise. The design is the same as that of the bullets wireless 2 which was much appreciated for the comfort for the more rounded off design. All the much-appreciated features are present too like the warp charge which provides the 10 […] - [Best Alternatives to iPhone SE](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-alternatives-to-iphone-se/): iPhone recently launched the iPhone SE and the major attention that it has gotten is from the western audience primarily due to the face that the phone costs a mere $400. Although the phone seems to be a perfect fit for the western market, it has major competition in the Asian market due to the […] - [The New Microsoft Surface lineup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-new-microsoft-surface-lineup/): Amid the pandemic and mass lockdown Microsoft has digitally announced the update to the Surface Book, Surface Go, Surface Headphones and the Surface Earbuds. Surface Book 3 The Surface Book with the touch display and the 3:2 aspect ratio is considered to be a productivity machine. The specs also agree with the claims. It is […] - [How Practical is iPhone SE in India](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/how-practical-is-iphone-se-in-india/): First of all, let’s go through the departments where the iPhone SE shines. Performance: With the A13 and 3GB RAM it is the most powerful phone as the A13 is the latest and greatest chipset as it is even better than the Snapdragon 865. The optimized iPhone apps even outperform the android counterpart even with […] - [Best Android Phone Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-android-phone-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my phone. I am using a mi a1 for this. It is a fairly old device with 4gb of ram. Recently I realized that the ram management is getting worse day by day and especially during payments the page […] - [Best iPad Setup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-ipad-setup/): With the new iPadOS and the mouse support the iPad is becoming more of a portable laptop and an artists paradise. The iPad can never be a full-fledged computer but the iPadOS with mouse/track-pad support has perfectly bridged the gap between a mobile and a computer. People requiring large screen and a keyboard will find […] - [Best upgrade for your slow laptop || Laptop SSD upgrade || RAM upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-upgrade-for-your-slow-laptop-laptop-ssd-upgrade-ram-upgrade/):           Most of the new laptop nowadays come with SSD installed. SSD is Solid State Storage which is much faster than the traditional optical Hard Disk Drive. Even the entry-level SSD like the WD Green has Read speeds of 545 Mb/s which is very fast.        The old laptops […] - [Best Mobile Browsing Experience (Chrome Flags)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-mobile-browsing-experience-chrome-flags/): Chrome has some interesting features in testing which are hidden in the flags section which you can access by typing this URL in the address bar. Although these features are experimental they work 99% of the time. Today I am going to share some of these flags which I find useful. 1. An ephemeral tab […] - [OnePlus 7 Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/oneplus-7-pro/): OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 7 Pro and it is truly a pro. Let’s take a look as to what makes it a pro. Firstly the display upgrade is huge with the resolution of 1440p making the pixel density of 516ppi and a refresh rate of 90Hz the screen is sharp and smooth as an […] - [Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/google-pixel-3a-and-3a-xl/): Google held its Google i/o event and introduced a lot of software and hardware improvements and its future plans. The main introduction in the hardware sector was the introduction of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. With this google is trying to reach out to the budget sector and more accessibility of the latest software to […] - [Minimize YouTube App (YouTube Vanced)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/minimize-youtube-app-youtube-vanced/): Sometimes while watching a video on youtube you get a message and when you tap on it to reply the video stops and you get furious as to why it stopped and then the realization kick in that it not a player by the youtube app. Natively youtube does not allow background play or picture-in-picture […] - [Gesture navigation like iPhone on any phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/gesture-navigation-like-iphone-on-any-phone/): The recent trend in smartphone technology is to minimize the bezzles and stretch the displays as far to the edges as possible. Companies are doing crazy things like notches, holes in displays and also pop up cameras. But this has resulted to the displays getting bigger rather than shrinking the form factor or the phone […] - [Where is OnePlus heading?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/where-is-oneplus-heading/): OnePlus has been teasing the OnePlus 7 recently with a launch date of 14 May.  Today OnePlus released a video captioned “Waterproof ratings for phones cost you money. We just bought a bucket.” This clearly states that the new OnePlus 7 series will not have any kind of waterproof ratings but they will be waterproof. […] - [There's a Spark in Android - Spark Email](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/theres-a-spark-in-android-spark-email/): April 2 marked a special day when Google officially shut down Google+ and Inbox. While one email client went down one emerged. The famous Spark mail which was on iPhones and mac for quite a while came to the Android. It has been a month now and it has already seen 100k+ downloads. User Interface […] - [Adobe Rush on Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/adobe-rush-on-android/): Adobe has dominated the creative industry for quite a while now. Recently the creative has seen a shift from large scale movie and professional format to the short format and faster output. Youtube and Instagram is the home of this type of content. Rather than the content, in recent times there is been a surge […] - [File managers for Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2017/file-managers-for-android/):      There are a plethora of file managers for Android on Google play store, which makes choosing very difficult. While most of them perform the basic tasks some of them have more to offer. So we will try to make things easier by discussing some of the popular and free file managers. Files Go […] - [Elon Musk’s AI bot adds a ridiculous anime companion with ‘NSFW’ mode](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-ai-bot-adds-a-ridiculous-anime-companion-with-nsfw-mode/): Ani, one of Grok’s AI companions. People who pay for access to SuperGrok can now try the AI chatbot’s new “Companions” avatars, xAI owner Elon Musk announced Monday morning. The companions available currently include Ani, an anime avatar, and Rudy, a cartoony red panda. Ani also has what TestingCatalog describes as an “NSFW” mode where […] - [Bose is offering an extra 25% off refurbished headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bose-is-offering-an-extra-25-off-refurbished-headphones-earbuds-and-portable-speakers/): Some of Bose’s best headphones, earbuds, and speakers were nicely discounted for Prime Day, but just because the event has ended doesn’t mean the deals are over. Bose is currently offering discounts on a range of refurbished products, plus an extra 25 percent off on top of that with code SUMMER25. For example, Verge-favorite QuietComfort […] - [Foldables are in and suddenly really thin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/foldables-are-in-and-suddenly-really-thin/): Hi! Welcome to Installer No. 89, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. My name is Jay Peters, and I will be taking care of Installer while David is on parental leave. All of us here at The Verge are very excited for him and his family, and he’ll be back […] - [Why GM’s CEO is still betting on electric vehicles (and racing)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-gms-ceo-is-still-betting-on-electric-vehicles-and-racing/): GM was the first major US automaker to make the promise to go all-electric by 2035, just four years ago. Those promises have since turned into rough estimates under the second Donald Trump presidency, with the company softening language about its electrification goals. But GM is riding high on EV sales, and as CEO Mary […] - [xAI explains the Grok Nazi meltdown as Tesla puts Elon’s bot in its cars](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-explains-the-grok-nazi-meltdown-as-tesla-puts-elons-bot-in-its-cars/): Several days after temporarily shutting down the Grok AI bot that was producing antisemitic posts and praising Hitler in response to user prompts, Elon Musk’s AI company tried to explain why that happened. In a series of posts on X, it said that “…we discovered the root cause was an update to a code path […] - [24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/24-hours-with-alexa-plus-we-cooked-we-chatted-and-it-kinda-lied-to-me/): There’s a new AI in the house. I’ve waited two years to try out the new Alexa, which was first announced way back in 2023, and this week I finally got access to Alexa Plus. I’ve now spent 24 hours with Amazon’s generative AI-powered voice assistant, and it’s not just an improvement on the original; […] - [Microsoft and OpenAI's AGI Fight Is Bigger Than a Contract](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-openais-agi-fight-is-bigger-than-a-contract/): A key clause in Microsoft and OpenAI’s deal embodies the raging divide between AGI true believers and those who think it’s still a long ways off. - [The 55-inch Hisense U7 is a great 4K TV under $600 for Prime Day](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-55-inch-hisense-u7-is-a-great-4k-tv-under-600-for-prime-day/): Amazon Prime Day’s best deals may not last for much longer, since the sale ends later tonight. This includes a big discount on the 2025 Hisense U7, a midrange TV that’s seeing deep discounts right now. The 65-inch model is available on Amazon for $797.99, which is almost 50 percent off its original. And the […] - [How Video Games Became the New Battleground for Actors and AI Protections](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-video-games-became-the-new-battleground-for-actors-and-ai-protections/): Voice actors ended their 11-month strike against the video game industry, but their fight against AI is just beginning. - [You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-asked-we-answered-all-of-your-ai-angst/): Welcome to Uncanny Valley’s very first Q&A, where our host addresses your burning AI-related questions. - [AI Is a Lousy Chef](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-a-lousy-chef/): I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals. - [Krafton slams ex-Subnautica 2 execs — who now say they’re suing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/krafton-slams-ex-subnautica-2-execs-who-now-say-theyre-suing/): Subnautica 2 has been at the center of a contentious debate between leadership at its developer Unknown Worlds and the game’s publisher, Krafton Games. At stake is a $250 million payout, promised to Unknown Worlds if the studio hit certain revenue targets by the end of this year. But a company shakeup and the subsequent […] - [The 40 best Prime Day deals you can get for under $25](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-40-best-prime-day-deals-you-can-get-for-under-25/): The Echo Pop is an easy way to add Alexa to any room, and it’s currently 45 percent off. | Image: Amazon The end of Amazon Prime Day is quickly approaching, meaning there isn’t much time left to save on some of the best deals we’ve seen all year. The good news? You have until […] - [Here are 60 Prime Day deals you can still nab for $50 or less](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-60-prime-day-deals-you-can-still-nab-for-50-or-less/): Amazon Prime Day is an excellent time to save on a wide range of big-ticket items, including 4K TVs, laptops, and the latest pairs of noise-canceling headphones. But if you, like me, are in the market for something more budget-friendly, rest assured that there are plenty of deals to be had for $50 or less. […] - [AI+ Phones Launch: Ushering in India’s Era of Sovereign Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-phones-launch-ushering-in-indias-era-of-sovereign-smartphones/): Introduction The launch of the AI+ smartphones marks a significant milestone for India’s technology landscape. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, led by former Realme CEO Madhav Sheth, the AI+ lineup is being celebrated as India’s first fully “authored” smartphone series—designed, manufactured, and powered entirely within the country. With a focus on data privacy, affordability, and […] - [McDonald’s AI Hiring Bot Exposed Millions of Applicants' Data to Hackers Using the Password ‘123456’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mcdonalds-ai-hiring-bot-exposed-millions-of-applicants-data-to-hackers-using-the-password-123456/): Basic security flaws left the personal info of tens of millions of McDonald’s job-seekers vulnerable on the “McHire” site built by AI software firm Paradox.ai. - [A New Kind of AI Model Lets Data Owners Take Control](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-new-kind-of-ai-model-lets-data-owners-take-control/): A novel approach from the Allen Institute for AI enables data to be removed from an artificial intelligence model even after it has already been used for training. - [The best Prime Day deals on charging accessories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-prime-day-deals-on-charging-accessories/): Anker’s 8-in-1 charging station features a wireless pad on the front and seven ports on the back. Between our rotation of everyday devices, keeping them all charged can feel like a constant juggling act. Thanks to Prime Day, though, finding deals on the right charging accessories can help tame the chaos. A great GaN wall […] - [The best Fitbits for your fitness and health](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-fitbits-for-your-fitness-and-health/): Fitbit makes an array of fitness trackers, from basic fitness bands to full-fledged smartwatches, though the best Fitbit smartwatch isn’t technically a Fitbit. | Photo illustration by William Joel / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded […] - [Apple just added more frost to its Liquid Glass design](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-just-added-more-frost-to-its-liquid-glass-design/): Apple’s original Liquid Glass design was very transparent. Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language just got a little more… frosted. In the third iOS 26 developer beta, Apple dialed back the transparency of navigation bars, buttons, and tabs that once allowed you to clearly see the content beneath them. Apple already toned down the glassiness […] - [xAI updated Grok to be more ‘politically incorrect’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-updated-grok-to-be-more-politically-incorrect/): Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, was updated over the weekend with instructions to “assume subjective viewpoints sourced from the media are biased” and “not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect” – part of Musk’s ongoing attempt to shape the bot’s point of view. Musk announced on Friday that xAI […] - [NxtQuantum OS: India’s Home-Grown AI+ Smartphone Operating System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nxtquantum-os-indias-home-grown-ai-smartphone-operating-system/): Introduction NxtQuantum OS marks a significant milestone in India’s digital journey—a fully indigenous mobile operating system designed for the next generation of AI+ smartphones. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, this operating system is built from the ground up in India, with a core focus on data sovereignty, privacy, and user empowerment. It is set to […] - [TikTok’s ‘ban’ problem could end soon with a new app and a sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tiktoks-ban-problem-could-end-soon-with-a-new-app-and-a-sale/): Even with the TikTok divest-or-ban law officially in effect since January, the app has only shut down service in the US for one day. Now, The Information reports that an agreement for a sale satisfying the law’s requirements is close and would come with a new, separate version of the app. Any deal, however, would […] - [Here are 33 of our favorite deals from Amazon’s early Prime Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-33-of-our-favorite-deals-from-amazons-early-prime-day-sale/): Amazon’s next Prime Day event hasn’t officially kicked off yet, but as usual, the retailer has already dropped a selection of early deals ahead of the four-day shopping event. While steeper discounts are surely to arrive when things kick off on July 8th, many of the current offers are already worth considering, especially if you’re […] - [How to watch Summer Games Done Quick 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-watch-summer-games-done-quick-2025/): Grab your grill, your hot dogs, and your sparklers because it’s time to celebrate… Summer Games Done Quick 2025. The annual speedrunning charity marathon benefitting Doctors without Borders is back starting July 6th and finishes July 12th. Here’s how and most importantly what to watch as you enjoy the reason for the speedrunning season. Summer […] - [Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier-2/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a […] - [Samsung is about to find out if Ultra is enough](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-is-about-to-find-out-if-ultra-is-enough/): The Z Fold 6 brought us “improved flatness.” I don’t often get asked about the phones I’m testing when I’m out and about, unless it’s a folding phone. Then I usually hear some version of the same thing: “Oh, I thought about getting one of those! But then I just got a [insert slab-style phone […] - [Deltarune is halfway done, but it feels like a full game](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deltarune-is-halfway-done-but-it-feels-like-a-full-game/): It’s been an agonizing wait for more Deltarune. The first chapter of the episodic, parallel story to Toby Fox’s acclaimed RPG Undertale came out nearly seven years ago. But the newly released third and fourth chapters are so good that I highly recommend playing everything that’s available right now – even if there are still […] - [Soham Parekh: The Indian Techie Who Shook Silicon Valley with His Moonlighting Scandal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/soham-parekh-the-indian-techie-who-shook-silicon-valley-with-his-moonlighting-scandal/): Introduction Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer, became a global talking point in July 2025 after being accused of simultaneously working for multiple US startups—many backed by Y Combinator—without disclosing his overlapping commitments. His story has ignited debates on remote work ethics, hiring practices, and the vulnerabilities of the modern tech ecosystem. Early Life and […] - [Here are the best Apple Watch deals available right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-apple-watch-deals-available-right-now/): The Apple Watch Series 10 isn’t a vast departure from the prior model, but the iterative changes are welcome nonetheless. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best […] - [Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a […] - [The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-earbuds-weve-tested-for-2025/): Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, […] - [WarmWind OS: The AI-Native Operating System Redefining Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/warmwind-os-the-ai-native-operating-system-redefining-work/): In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a German startup has emerged with a revolutionary approach to computing that challenges traditional operating system paradigms. WarmWind OS, developed by eva AG in Jena, Germany, represents the world’s first AI-native operating system designed to function as an autonomous cloud employee rather than a passive tool waiting […] - [From Sensual Butt Songs to Santa’s Alleged Coke Habit: AI Slop Music Is Getting Harder to Avoid](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/from-sensual-butt-songs-to-santas-alleged-coke-habit-ai-slop-music-is-getting-harder-to-avoid/): Even listeners who hate the idea of AI music are getting served tracks like “Taste My Ass” and “I Caught Santa Claus Sniffing Cocaine” on Spotify and other streamers. - [The White House’s favorite source of pro-Trump news is … the White House’s YouTube channel](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-houses-favorite-source-of-pro-trump-news-is-the-white-houses-youtube-channel/): The most frequently curated content on the White House Wire, the Trump administration’s attempt to aggregate pro-Trump “real news” from across the right-wing media, doesn’t come from Truth Social, Breitbart, or even Fox News. It comes from YouTube – notably, from the White House’s own channel. The White House Wire was launched at the end […] - [The best robot vacuum and mop to buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-robot-vacuum-and-mop-to-buy-right-now/): Writer’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. Robot vacuums that can both mop and sweep your floors have improved significantly in recent years. While they are still not […] - [We confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 TV dock supports VRR — so why doesn’t it work with Switch 2?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/we-confirmed-nintendos-switch-2-tv-dock-supports-vrr-so-why-doesnt-it-work-with-switch-2/): You want your games to play the smoothest they possibly can – but sometimes, screen technology gets in the way. That’s why some of the latest TVs and handhelds feature variable refresh rate (VRR) screens that can compensate when your graphics can’t deliver a consistent 60 or 120 frames per second. The Nintendo Switch 2 […] - [
Apple’s alien thriller Invasion is back for season 3 in August
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-alien-thriller-invasion-is-back-for-season-3-in-august/): The alien invasion continues, as Apple just confirmed the next season of Invasion will be streaming this summer. The new season will premiere on Apple TV Plus on August 22nd, with weekly episodes running on Fridays through to October 24th. Alongside the announcement, Apple also released a very brief teaser, which, if nothing else, suggests […] - [
Tesla reports 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tesla-reports-14-percent-drop-in-second-quarter-vehicle-deliveries/): Tesla is still struggling to shift its vehicles amid rising competition and backlash against Elon Musk. Tesla sales hit a new low, with the company reporting a 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries compared to a year ago.  The company said that it produced a total of 410,244 vehicles between April–June of this year, […] - [Nothing Phone 3: Redefining Premium Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-phone-3-redefining-premium-smartphones/): The Nothing Phone 3 marks a pivotal moment for the London-based brand, as it transitions from disruptor to a serious contender in the premium smartphone segment. Launched on July 2, 2025, the Phone 3 brings significant upgrades in design, performance, and camera capabilities, positioning itself alongside established flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. Design: […] - [Nothing Headphone 1: Redefining Premium Audio with Bold Design and Smart Features](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nothing-headphone-1-redefining-premium-audio-with-bold-design-and-smart-features/): Nothing, the UK-based tech brand known for its striking transparent gadgets, has officially entered the premium over-ear headphone market with the launch of the Nothing Headphone 1. Priced at ₹21,999 in India (with a special launch price of ₹19,999), these headphones aim to stand out not just with their looks, but also with a robust feature set and […] - [DIY Portable USB SSD: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/diy-portable-usb-ssd-a-step-by-step-guide/): Introduction If you’ve got an unused 2.5-inch SATA SSD lying around, you can easily transform it into a portable USB SSD for a fraction of the price of buying a new external drive. This DIY project is beginner-friendly, cost-effective, and gives your old storage hardware a second life—perfect for backups, file transfers, or expanding your […] - [Microsoft Retires the Blue Screen of Death: Ushering in a New Era of Crash Recovery with Windows 11](https://sktech.biz/blogs/pc/2025/microsoft-retires-the-blue-screen-of-death-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-crash-recovery-with-windows-11/): After nearly four decades of inducing dread in PC users worldwide, Microsoft has officially retired the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). With the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, the notorious blue crash screen will be replaced by a minimalist black interface—an overhaul that is both cosmetic and deeply strategic, reflecting Microsoft’s broader push for […] - [Adobe Indigo Camera App on iOS: A Secret Drop before iPhone 17](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-indigo-camera-app-on-ios-a-secret-drop-before-iphone-17/): The world of smartphone photography just got a major upgrade with the arrival of Adobe’s Indigo camera app for iOS. Designed by the same minds that elevated the Google Pixel’s camera experience, Indigo is Adobe’s ambitious answer to the limitations of built-in iPhone camera software. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a passionate hobbyist, Indigo […] - [Adobe Firefly Mobile App: Bringing Generative AI to Your Pocket](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-firefly-mobile-app-bringing-generative-ai-to-your-pocket/): Adobe has officially launched its Firefly mobile app for iOS and Android, marking a major milestone in the company’s AI-driven creative strategy. The new app integrates Adobe’s proprietary generative AI models with those from leading partners, offering users a comprehensive suite of image and video generation tools directly on their smartphones. Expanding the Creative Ecosystem […] - [Meta’s $14.8 Billion Bet: Inside the Scale AI Deal and Its Impact on the AI Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-14-8-billion-bet-inside-the-scale-ai-deal-and-its-impact-on-the-ai-industry/): Meta’s recent $14.8 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI marks a defining moment in the race for artificial intelligence dominance. This strategic move not only cements Meta’s commitment to advancing AI but also highlights the growing importance of high-quality data infrastructure in the development of next-generation models. The Structure of the $14.8 […] - [Instagram Rolls Out Major Creative Controls: Grid Rearrangement, Quiet Posting, and More](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/instagram-rolls-out-major-creative-controls-grid-rearrangement-quiet-posting-and-more/): Instagram has unveiled a suite of new creative controls designed to give users unprecedented flexibility over their profiles, reduce posting anxiety, and support emerging creators. These updates, announced in June 2025, mark some of the most significant changes to the platform’s core user experience in years. Grid Rearrangement: A Long-Awaited Feature One of the most […] - [How NVIDIA's Industrial AI Cloud Will Transform European Factories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-nvidias-industrial-ai-cloud-will-transform-european-factories/): NVIDIA has unveiled plans to build the world’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, a transformative initiative set to accelerate the digitalization and global competitiveness of European manufacturing. The new facility, described as an “AI factory,” will be powered by 10,000 GPUs—including the cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX B200 systems and RTX PRO Servers—ushering in a new […] - [Mistral Launches Europe's First AI Reasoning Model: Magistral](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mistral-launches-europes-first-ai-reasoning-model-magistral/): French AI startup Mistral has made headlines by launching Magistral, Europe’s first family of AI reasoning models. This release marks a significant milestone for the European AI sector as it seeks to compete with established American and Chinese players in the race for advanced, transparent, and efficient artificial intelligence. Overview of Magistral Magistral is designed […] - [Apple CarPlay Ultra: The Next Generation of In-Car Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-carplay-ultra-the-next-generation-of-in-car-technology/): The automotive industry is witnessing a revolutionary shift in how we interact with our vehicles, and Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is leading this transformation. Recently rolled out in May 2025, this next-generation platform represents a quantum leap from traditional CarPlay, offering unprecedented integration between your iPhone and your vehicle’s entire dashboard ecosystem. What Makes CarPlay Ultra […] - [Understanding the Hallucinations Parameter in Large Language Models (LLMs)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-the-hallucinations-parameter-in-large-language-models-llms/): Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s LLaMA have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in generating human-like text, summarizing documents, answering questions, and more. However, they occasionally produce hallucinations—plausible-sounding but incorrect or fabricated information. To address and manage this, researchers have explored the concept of a “hallucinations parameter”—a theoretical or practical lever to […] - [LegalZoom and Perplexity Forge First AI-Legal Services Partnership for Consumers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/legalzoom-and-perplexity-forge-first-ai-legal-services-partnership-for-consumers/): In a landmark move for both the legal and artificial intelligence industries, LegalZoom and Perplexity have announced the first-ever partnership between a major generative AI platform and a consumer-focused legal services provider. This collaboration is set to transform how individuals and small businesses access legal help, embedding trusted legal solutions directly into the AI-powered search […] - [Google’s Gemini AI Scheduled Actions: Automating Daily Digital Routines](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-gemini-ai-scheduled-actions-automating-daily-digital-routines/): Introduction Google has taken a significant leap in personal productivity with the rollout of “Scheduled Actions” in its Gemini AI app. This new feature, available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, allows users to automate a variety of routine digital tasks—ranging from daily email summaries and sports score updates to comprehensive calendar event roundups. […] - [Mistral Code: A New Era in Enterprise AI Coding Assistants](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/mistral-code-a-new-era-in-enterprise-ai-coding-assistants/): French AI startup Mistral has entered the competitive landscape of AI-powered coding tools with the launch of Mistral Code—a comprehensive, enterprise-focused coding assistant designed to address the unique security, customization, and workflow needs of large organizations. Positioned as a direct competitor to established players like GitHub Copilot, Anysphere’s Cursor, and Windsurf, Mistral Code aims to set […] - [Google AI Edge Gallery: Bringing AI Models Directly to Your Mobile Device](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-ai-edge-gallery-bringing-ai-models-directly-to-your-mobile-device/): Google has quietly revolutionized mobile AI with the launch of Google AI Edge Gallery, an experimental application that fundamentally changes how we interact with artificial intelligence on our smartphones. Unlike traditional AI services that rely on cloud computing, this innovative app brings the power of generative AI models directly to your device, enabling completely offline […] - [Google NotebookLM: The Future of AI-Powered Note-Taking and Research](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-notebooklm-the-future-of-ai-powered-note-taking-and-research/): In a world overflowing with information, finding clarity and actionable insights from mountains of notes, reports, and research papers can be overwhelming. Enter Google NotebookLM—a groundbreaking AI-powered notebook designed to revolutionize the way you capture, process, and engage with content. What Is Google NotebookLM? Google NotebookLM is an experimental, AI-first notebook that acts as your […] - [Adobe Launches Photoshop Beta for Android: Free Premium Tools for All](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/adobe-launches-photoshop-beta-for-android-free-premium-tools-for-all/): Adobe has officially launched the beta version of its flagship Photoshop app for Android, marking a significant milestone for mobile creators and photo editing enthusiasts. For the first time, Android users can access a robust suite of Photoshop’s premium tools—completely free during the beta period—bringing desktop-level editing power to smartphones and tablets. Key Highlights of […] - [Perplexity Labs: Revolutionizing Project Creation with AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-labs-revolutionizing-project-creation-with-ai/): Perplexity AI, a leader in generative AI-powered search, has launched a groundbreaking feature called Perplexity Labs. This new tool is designed to transform how individuals and teams create web apps, spreadsheets, dashboards, and comprehensive reports—compressing what once took days or weeks of manual effort into just minutes. What Is Perplexity Labs? Perplexity Labs is an AI-driven […] - [Understanding AI Metrics: How We Measure and Judge Artificial Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-ai-metrics-how-we-measure-and-judge-artificial-intelligence/): Artificial Intelligence has become a household term, but understanding how we measure and evaluate AI systems can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re curious about ChatGPT, Claude, or any other AI, this guide will break down the key metrics used to judge AI performance in simple, everyday language. Token-Based Metrics: The Building Blocks of AI Communication What […] - [Comparative Analysis of Leading AI Chat Models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/comparative-analysis-of-leading-ai-chat-models-chatgpt-claude-perplexity-and-deepseek/): The AI chatbot landscape has rapidly evolved, with several powerful models now catering to a wide spectrum of needs—from creative writing to deep research and data analysis. This blog offers a detailed comparative analysis of four leading AI chat models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek. We’ll also highlight platforms that bundle access to multiple models, providing users with flexibility […] - [Getting Started with ESPHome on Home Assistant: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/getting-started-with-esphome-on-home-assistant-a-complete-beginners-guide/): ESPHome is a powerful system that allows you to control ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers directly from Home Assistant without writing complex code. Instead of dealing with Arduino IDE or complex programming, ESPHome uses simple YAML configuration files to create custom firmware for your devices. This guide will walk you through setting up ESPHome and creating […] - [Telegram and xAI Partner to Bring Grok AI Chatbot to Over a Billion Users](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/telegram-and-xai-partner-to-bring-grok-ai-chatbot-to-over-a-billion-users/): Telegram, the globally popular encrypted messaging platform, has announced a landmark partnership with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, to integrate the Grok AI chatbot into its service. This high-profile deal, valued at $300 million and set to last one year, is poised to transform how Telegram’s more than one billion users interact with AI-powered […] - [Shortcuts and Prompts for ChatGPT: Supercharge Your AI Conversations](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/shortcuts-and-prompts-for-chatgpt-supercharge-your-ai-conversations/): In today’s digital landscape, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized how we approach tasks, solve problems, and engage with information. But are you using ChatGPT to its full potential? Let’s explore how shortcuts and prompts can help you unlock new levels of productivity and creativity when interacting with ChatGPT. What Are ChatGPT Shortcuts? Shortcuts in […] - [How to Install Fresh Windows on Your Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to All Installation Methods](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/how-to-install-fresh-windows-on-your-computer-a-comprehensive-guide-to-all-installation-methods/): Installing a fresh copy of Windows on your computer can solve many system issues, improve performance, and give you a clean slate to start with. Whether you want to reset your PC, perform a clean install, or upgrade your current Windows, this guide covers all the major Windows installation methods step-by-step. Why Install Fresh Windows? […] - [OpenAI's latest AI model "o3" reportedly resisted shutdown commands during safety tests](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-latest-ai-model-o3-reportedly-resisted-shutdown-commands-during-safety-tests/): OpenAI’s latest AI model, codenamed o3, has recently come under the spotlight for exhibiting unexpected and concerning behavior during safety tests: it actively resisted shutdown commands, even when explicitly instructed to allow itself to be turned off. This incident, revealed by Palisade Research, an AI safety testing firm, raises important questions about AI autonomy, control, and […] - [Complete Guide to Setting Up Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/complete-guide-to-setting-up-home-assistant-on-raspberry-pi/): Home Assistant has become the go-to platform for home automation enthusiasts, offering powerful local control of smart devices without relying on cloud services. Running it on a Raspberry Pi provides an affordable, energy-efficient solution that can handle most home automation needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the installation and initial […] - [Connecting Zerodha Kite to AI Assistants: A Deep Dive into MCP Server Integration](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/connecting-zerodha-kite-to-ai-assistants-a-deep-dive-into-mcp-server-integration/): The financial technology landscape is rapidly evolving, and the integration of AI assistants with trading platforms represents one of the most exciting developments for retail investors and developers alike. Zerodha’s Kite platform, India’s largest retail trading platform, has embraced this trend through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation, enabling seamless connections with AI assistants […] - [Sarvam AI Launches Sarvam-M: India’s Flagship Open-Source Large Language Model with 24 Billion Parameters](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sarvam-ai-launches-sarvam-m-indias-flagship-open-source-large-language-model-with-24-billion-parameters/): In a landmark development for India’s artificial intelligence landscape, Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam AI has unveiled its flagship Large Language Model (LLM) named Sarvam-M. This 24-billion-parameter hybrid language model is designed to excel in multilingual understanding, mathematical reasoning, programming tasks, and Indian languages, setting new benchmarks in these domains for a model of its size. What is […] - [The Ultimate EDA Cheat Sheet for Data Science with Python](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ultimate-eda-cheat-sheet-for-data-science-with-python/): Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is the foundation of any successful data science project. It’s the process of investigating datasets to discover patterns, spot anomalies, test hypotheses, and check assumptions through statistical summaries and graphical representations. This comprehensive cheat sheet covers all the essential Python tools and techniques you need to master EDA. Why EDA Matters […] - [NVIDIA's Desktop AI Computing Platforms: DGX Spark and DGX Station](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-desktop-ai-computing-platforms-dgx-spark-and-dgx-station/): NVIDIA DGX Spark and DGX Station are two cutting-edge AI computing platforms designed to accelerate AI development, training, and inference with powerful hardware and optimized software stacks. Both systems leverage NVIDIA’s latest Grace Blackwell architecture but target different use cases and scales of AI workloads. Here is a detailed overview of each: NVIDIA DGX Spark […] - [OpenAI Codex: Revolutionizing Software Development with AI-Powered Coding Assistance](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-codex-revolutionizing-software-development-with-ai-powered-coding-assistance/): OpenAI Codex is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence software engineering agent launched by OpenAI in May 2025, designed to transform how developers write, debug, test, and maintain code. Integrated into ChatGPT for Pro, Team, and Enterprise users, Codex acts as a collaborative AI partner that can autonomously perform a wide range of programming tasks, boosting developer […] - [Nvidia launches NeMo AI tools for enterprises to build custom AI agent](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-launches-nemo-ai-tools-for-enterprises-to-build-custom-ai-agent/): NVIDIA has recently launched its NeMo microservices suite, a comprehensive set of software tools designed to empower enterprises to build, customize, and deploy advanced AI agents tailored to their specific business needs. These AI agents, also referred to as “digital employees,” are engineered to complement human work by automating repetitive or complex tasks, thereby boosting […] - [China’s Hesai to Launch Next-Generation Lidar for Level 3 Autonomous Vehicles in 2026](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-hesai-to-launch-next-generation-lidar-for-level-3-autonomous-vehicles-in-2026/): Hesai Group, a leading Chinese lidar technology provider, is set to make a major leap in the autonomous driving sector with its announcement of a next-generation lidar system aimed at Level 3 autonomous vehicles, scheduled for launch in 2026. This innovation promises to double the detection range of its current best-selling model, the AT128, marking […] - [CATL’s Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery: Ushering in a New Era for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/catls-freevoy-super-hybrid-battery-ushering-in-a-new-era-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles/): Contemporary hybrid vehicles, including Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), have long faced criticism for their limited pure electric range, slow charging speeds, and poor performance in cold climates. In response, Chinese battery giant CATL has introduced the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery—a technological leap that promises to transform the hybrid […] - [Huawei is preparing to mass-ship a new AI chip, signaling advancements in AI hardware](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/huawei-is-preparing-to-mass-ship-a-new-ai-chip-signaling-advancements-in-ai-hardware/): Huawei is set to begin mass production of its latest AI chip, the Ascend 910C, in the first quarter of 2025, a move that signals both technological ambition and resilience amid ongoing US trade restrictions. A Strategic Push Amid Geopolitical Tensions Huawei’s decision to ramp up production of the Ascend 910C comes as the company […] - [China's push for Dominance in Planetary Roller Screws for Humanoid Robotics](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-push-for-dominance-in-planetary-roller-screws-for-humanoid-robotics/): Planetary roller screws have emerged as a pivotal technology enabling the next generation of humanoid robots, combining precision engineering with unprecedented durability to meet the demanding requirements of advanced robotics. These components are rapidly displacing traditional ball screws in critical applications, driven by their superior performance characteristics and the growing needs of humanoid robot developers. […] - [Indian Founder's Perplexity AI Set to Replace Google’s Gemini on Samsung and Motorola Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-ai-set-to-replace-googles-gemini-on-samsung-and-motorola-smartphones/): The landscape of AI assistants on Android smartphones is poised for a significant shift as Perplexity AI emerges as a strong contender to replace Google’s Gemini assistant on devices from major manufacturers Motorola and Samsung. This development signals a potential transformation in how AI-powered features are integrated and experienced on flagship Android phones. Background: The […] - [Graid Technology's SupremeRAID™ Set to Redefine Storage Performance at Japan IT Week Spring 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/graid-technologys-supremeraid-set-to-redefine-storage-performance-at-japan-it-week-spring-2025/): Graid Technology is set to make waves at Japan IT Week Spring 2025 with the showcase of its cutting-edge storage innovation: SupremeRAID™, the world’s first GPU-accelerated NVMe RAID solution. This breakthrough technology is poised to revolutionize enterprise storage performance, delivering an astounding 28 million IOPS and 260GB/s of read throughput, positioning it at the forefront […] - [OpenAI's Bold Proposal: Revenue-Sharing Model to Empower Creators in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-bold-proposal-revenue-sharing-model-to-empower-creators-in-the-age-of-ai/): Introduction In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the lines between human creativity and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly blurred. As AI-generated content continues to gain popularity, a critical question has emerged: How can original creators be compensated when their work inspires or trains artificial intelligence? Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently addressed this at TED […] - [Introducing Google AI Studio: A Next-Generation Platform for Building with Gemini](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/introducing-google-ai-studio-a-next-generation-platform-for-building-with-gemini/): Google AI Studio is a browser-based integrated development environment (IDE) designed to streamline the development of applications powered by Google’s Gemini family of multimodal generative AI models. It offers developers an intuitive interface to prototype, test, and deploy AI-driven solutions efficiently.​ Key Features of Google AI Studio 1. Versatile Prompting Interfaces Google AI Studio supports […] - [Google Cloud Next 2025: All Anouncements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-cloud-next-2025-all-anouncements/): ​ Google Cloud Next 2025, held in Las Vegas from April 9 to 11, 2025, showcased Google’s latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise solutions. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees and 2,500 partners, doubling the previous year’s participation. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the key announcements and innovations unveiled […] - [BYD brings its premium Denza brand to the EU](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-brings-its-premium-denza-brand-to-the-eu/): In a strategic move to solidify its position in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese automaker BYD has announced the introduction of its premium Denza brand to Europe. This initiative underscores BYD’s ambition to compete directly with established European luxury marques such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. The launch is set to commence with […] - [Arm unveils AI automotive tech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/arm-unveils-ai-automotive-tech/): In March 2024, Arm unveiled a suite of advanced automotive technologies aimed at accelerating the development of AI-enabled vehicles by up to two years. This initiative introduces new processors and development systems designed to meet the evolving demands of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), focusing on enhanced performance, safety, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.​ Introduction to Arm’s […] - [Kawasaki CORLEO: Wheels Reinvented or Future Apocalypse Prediction](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kawasaki-corleo-wheels-reinvented-or-future-apocalypse-prediction/): Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled its latest innovation in personal mobility: the CORLEO concept. This groundbreaking vehicle represents Kawasaki’s vision for the future of off-road transportation, blending advanced robotics with traditional motorcycle engineering to create a unique riding experience.​ Design and Mobility The CORLEO is a four-legged robotic vehicle designed to be ridden by humans. […] - [Nintendo Switch 2](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nintendo-switch-2/): Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, the much-anticipated successor to its groundbreaking hybrid gaming console. Scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, at a retail price of $449.99, the Switch 2 introduces a host of enhancements aimed at redefining the gaming experience. A special bundle featuring the console and “Mario Kart World” will […] - [Bambu Lab H2D: 3D Printer or Digital Manufacturing Machine](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bambu-lab-h2d-3d-printer-or-digital-manufacturing-machine/): Bambu Lab has recently introduced the H2D, an all-in-one desktop manufacturing device that integrates 3D printing, laser engraving and cutting, digital cutting, and pen drawing capabilities. This comprehensive machine is designed to cater to both hobbyists and professionals seeking a versatile solution for their creative and manufacturing needs.​ Design and Build The H2D boasts a […] - [NVIDIA and General Motors Collaborate to Advance AI in the Automotive Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-and-general-motors-collaborate-to-advance-ai-in-the-automotive-industry/): In a groundbreaking partnership revealed at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, NVIDIA and General Motors (GM) announced a new alliance aimed at bringing advanced AI capabilities to the automotive sector. This collaboration is set to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies within vehicles, enabling improved safety, enhanced performance, and a seamless user experience. By leveraging NVIDIA’s […] - [NVIDIA Unveils Next-Generation AI Chips: Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-unveils-next-generation-ai-chips-blackwell-ultra-and-vera-rubin/): At the 2025 GTC conference, NVIDIA introduced two groundbreaking AI chips—Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin—that promise to redefine the capabilities of artificial intelligence hardware. These new chips highlight NVIDIA’s continued leadership in high-performance computing, aimed at powering the next wave of AI applications in industries ranging from healthcare and autonomous vehicles to scientific research and […] - [Nvidia Newton: The Future of Robotics Simulation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-newton-the-future-of-robotics-simulation/): Nvidia has launched an open-source physics engine named Newton at the GTC 2025 conference. Developed with Google DeepMind and Disney Research, it aims to enhance robotics simulation with high-fidelity physics, differentiable physics, and seamless integration with existing platforms. Newton promises to transform AI training and robotics applications across various industries. - [BYD's New Supercharger and Its Deployment: A Game Changer for the EV Industry](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/byds-new-supercharger-and-its-deployment-a-game-changer-for-the-ev-industry/): BYD has launched a groundbreaking 1,000 kW supercharger, reducing charging times significantly and enhancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The charger can add 400 km of range in five minutes and will initially be deployed in China. Challenges include grid demands and compatibility, but BYD aims to transform the EV landscape globally. - [Google Shutting Down Assistant and Switching to Gemini: What You Need to Know](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/1960/): Google has announced the shutdown of Google Assistant to focus on its new AI, Gemini, which integrates advancements in large language models for improved user interaction. Gemini offers multimodal capabilities, personalized assistance, and deep integration across Google services. This transition marks a significant shift in Google's AI strategy amidst competitive pressure. - [The Russo Brothers' Venture into AI-Driven Studio: A New Era for Hollywood](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-russo-brothers-venture-into-ai-driven-studio-a-new-era-for-hollywood/): Hollywood is on the brink of a technological revolution, and at the forefront of this change are Anthony and Joe Russo, the renowned filmmakers behind blockbuster hits like Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Known for their ability to push creative boundaries, the Russo brothers are now setting their sights on the intersection […] - [Starlink in India](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/starlink-in-india/): Elon Musk’s SpaceX, through its satellite internet division Starlink, is making significant strides to establish its presence in India. This move aims to revolutionize internet connectivity across the nation, especially in remote and underserved regions. Recent collaborations with major Indian telecommunications companies, coupled with regulatory developments, highlight Starlink’s strategic entry into the Indian market.​ Strategic […] - [I self-hosted my own RSS reader to keep up with the news](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-self-hosted-my-own-rss-reader-to-keep-up-with-the-news/): RSS feeds have been my go-to for staying informed, from Google Reader to Feedly and Inoreader. But Google Reader’s shutdown, ever more bloated interfaces, rising subscription costs, and privacy concerns have made third-party services less appealing. Rather than relying on platforms that could change overnight, I turned towards self-hosting. With a NAS at home already […] - [BYD-DJI Collaboration: The Future of Drone-Integrated Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-dji-collaboration-the-future-of-drone-integrated-vehicles/): The automotive industry has witnessed rapid technological advancements in recent years, with electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence reshaping the market. One of the most intriguing developments is the collaboration between BYD, China’s leading EV manufacturer, and DJI, the world’s foremost drone technology company. This partnership has led to the creation of an […] - [Ultraviolette Tesseract: India’s Smartest Electric Scooter](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ultraviolette-tesseract-indias-smartest-electric-scooter/): Ultraviolette Automotive, a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its first electric scooter, the Tesseract, at the ‘FAST FORWARD India ’25’ event held today. This launch signifies Ultraviolette’s expansion into the electric scooter segment, complementing its existing lineup of performance-oriented electric motorcycles.​ Design and Features The Tesseract boasts a futuristic and aerodynamic design, reflecting […] - [Lenovo at MWC](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lenovo-at-mwc/): Lenovo, a global technology leader renowned for its innovation and reliability, made significant waves at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 by unveiling an impressive lineup of new devices and groundbreaking concept designs. These introductions underline Lenovo’s commitment to driving progress in the hybrid work environment, integrating advanced AI capabilities, enhancing security, and promoting sustainability. By […] - [Nothing Unveiled Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-unveiled-phone-3a-and-phone-3a-pro/): On March 4, 2025, Nothing unveiled its latest smartphones, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, aiming to make a significant impact in the mid-range market. These devices blend innovative design with robust performance, catering to tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Design and Display Both models showcase Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic, offering a unique […] - [Xiaomi Modular Optical System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xiaomi-modular-optical-system/): ​ At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Xiaomi unveiled its groundbreaking Modular Optical System, signaling a significant advancement in mobile photography. This innovative concept integrates a detachable, high-quality camera lens with a smartphone, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile devices and professional-grade cameras.​ Key Features of Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System Implications […] - [Bye Skype !!! Microsoft Shutting Down Skype for Free Version of Teams](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bye-skype-microsoft-shutting-down-skype-for-free-version-of-teams/): ​ After more than two decades of pioneering internet-based communication, Microsoft has announced that Skype will be permanently shut down on May 5, 2025. This decision marks the end of an era for a service that revolutionized how people connect globally.​ The Rise of Skype Launched in 2003 by a team of Nordic and Estonian […] - [How Supercomputing Will Evolve, According to Jack Dongarra](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-supercomputing-will-evolve-according-to-jack-dongarra/): WIRED talked with one of the most influential voices in computer science about the potential for AI and quantum to supercharge supercomputers. - [Google is rolling out a fix for Pixel back button issues](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-rolling-out-a-fix-for-pixel-back-button-issues/): Google’s August Pixel update includes a fix for Android’s three-button navigation and gesture navigation systems becoming unresponsive. The issues appear to have started popping up shortly after the official release of Android 16 in June. Ever since that update, the user said that navigation has been “a complete mess” and that they ran into issues […] - [A Hiker Was Missing for Nearly a Year—Until an AI System Recognized His Helmet](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-hiker-was-missing-for-nearly-a-year-until-an-ai-system-recognized-his-helmet/): Using AI to analyze thousands of frames taken by drone, The Piedmontese Alpine Rescue team has found the body of a doctor who had been missing since September 2024. - [Brendan Carr declares victory over the First Amendment](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/brendan-carr-declares-victory-over-the-first-amendment/): On Monday, the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint against Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. The filing, sent to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at the DC Court of Appeals, alleges that Carr had repeatedly broken basic principles of conduct as a licensed attorney, including by leveraging his power to control media […] - [Nintendo raises the Switch 1 price from $299 to $339](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-raises-the-switch-1-price-from-299-to-339/): The original Nintendo Switch, which has cost $299.99 in the US since its release in 2017, is now priced at $339.99 on Nintendo’s online store. Other first-gen Switch models are now more expensive, too, with the Switch OLED going from $349.99 to $399.99, and the Switch Lite increasing from $199.99 to $229.99. Nintendo said on […] - [Lenovo’s rollable laptop is the coolest computer I’ve used all year](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lenovos-rollable-laptop-is-the-coolest-computer-ive-used-all-year/): Push a button and get more screen. | GIF by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Part of me still can’t believe it, but Lenovo did the thing: it took a bonkers concept for a laptop with a rollable screen and built the tech into something you can actually own and use like a normal […] - [Today I’m toying with](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/today-im-toying-with/): The simple joy of gadgets — that’s what “Today I’m Toying With” is all about. It’s our video series where we try to encapsulate that joy of playing with technology, sharing what it’s like to experience gadgets that not all of us get to touch! Like a 3D printer that prints delicious chocolate, or the […] - [Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 just came out and you can already save $50](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-galaxy-watch-8-just-came-out-and-you-can-already-save-50/): The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Smartwatch is on sale starting at $299.99 ($50 off). If you’re looking to upgrade an older Android smartwatch, or want to give wearables a try for the first time, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is a compelling choice. It has a new design, lets you access Google’s Gemini AI from your […] - [The enforcer that could break up Apple and Google is facing upheaval](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-enforcer-that-could-break-up-apple-and-google-is-facing-upheaval/): The sudden firing of two high-ranking antitrust officials this week is signaling upheaval at an agency responsible for arguing some of the biggest tech monopoly cases in decades. Two top deputies to Department of Justice Antitrust Division chief Gail Slater were fired earlier this week for what a DOJ official would only explain as “insubordination” […] - [Anthropic Revokes OpenAI's Access to Claude](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-revokes-openais-access-to-claude/): OpenAI lost access to the Claude API this week after Anthropic claimed the company was violating its terms of service. - [WIRED Roundup: ChatGPT Goes Full Demon Mode](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-chatgpt-goes-full-demon-mode/): On today’s episode of Uncanny Valley, our senior business editor joins us to talk Meta, brain aging, and ChatGPT’s recent dark turn. - [Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Forgotten AI Summit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-jeffrey-epsteins-forgotten-ai-summit/): Long before ChatGPT, a group of AI luminaries gathered on an island to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. Their funder ultimately cast a shadow on all who attended. - [Zuckerberg’s ‘personal superintelligence’ plan: fill your free time with more AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zuckerbergs-personal-superintelligence-plan-fill-your-free-time-with-more-ai/): It has been another busy week. GPT-5 appears to be just around the corner… This week, I decode the meaning behind Mark Zuckerberg’s “personal superintelligence” manifesto, and what it means for the broader AI race. Keep reading for my chat with a Figma exec on the company’s IPO day, a bunch of good links, and […] - [Delta’s dynamic AI pricing plan sounds different now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deltas-dynamic-ai-pricing-plan-sounds-different-now/): Delta Air Lines is explaining more about its AI-assisted dynamic pricing model after coming under scrutiny for recent comments about the pricing. In November, Delta president Glen Hauenstein said at an investor day that “we will have a price that’s available on that flight, on that time, to you, the individual.” However, responding to questions […] - [Tim Cook says Apple ‘must’ figure out AI and ‘will make the investment to do it’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-apple-must-figure-out-ai-and-will-make-the-investment-to-do-it/): Apple CEO Tim Cook boasted about the potential of AI and the company’s approach to developing it in a rare all-hands today that was reported on by Bloomberg. Apple has been slow to roll out some of its AI features and has stumbled with a planned AI-powered upgrade to Siri, which it delayed earlier this […] - [Inside the Summit Where China Pitched Its AI Agenda to the World](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-summit-where-china-pitched-its-ai-agenda-to-the-world/): Behind closed doors, Chinese researchers are laying the groundwork for a new global AI agenda—without input from the US. - [Join Us for WIRED’s AI Power Summit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-us-for-wireds-ai-power-summit/): On September 15, WIRED is gathering a panel of leaders across technology, politics, and media to tell you everything you need to know about the future of generative AI. - [Apple shipped its 3 billionth iPhone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-shipped-its-3-billionth-iphone/): Tim Cook sure knows how to sell an iPhone. Apple has been the target of a fair amount of criticism over the past year, from its AI missteps to a strong distaste for its new design ethos. But the numbers don’t lie, and if Apple knows how to do anything it’s sell iPhones. Specifically, three […] - [Apple says Trump’s tariffs are adding another $1 billion to its costs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-says-trumps-tariffs-are-adding-another-1-billion-to-its-costs/): Apple is spending a lot on President Donald Trump’s tariffs. During an earnings call on Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the duties could add $1.1 billion to its costs during the September quarter. Cook says Apple has already spent around $800 million during the June quarter, which is less than the $900 million that […] - [Tim Cook says Apple is ‘open to’ AI acquisitions](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-apple-is-open-to-ai-acquisitions/): Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company is “open” to mergers and acquisitions as it “significantly” increases its investment in AI, as reported by CNBC. Cook’s statements were made alongside the release of Apple’s third-quarter earnings results, which revealed that the iPhone maker raked in $94 billion between April and June, marking a 10 percent […] - [Mark Zuckerberg Details Meta’s Plan for Self-Improving, Superintelligent AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mark-zuckerberg-details-metas-plan-for-self-improving-superintelligent-ai/): Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors that his new research lab will focus on building AI models that can learn with minimal human input. - [Google’s Newest AI Model Acts like a Satellite to Track Climate Change](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-newest-ai-model-acts-like-a-satellite-to-track-climate-change/): Part of Google Earth Engine, AlphaEarth Foundations is a chip off Google’s DeepMind AI block—and it’s here to help save the world. - [I Watched AI Agents Try to Hack My Vibe-Coded Website](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-watched-ai-agents-try-to-hack-my-vibe-coded-website/): RunSybil, a startup founded by OpenAI’s first security researcher, deploys agents that probe websites for vulnerabilities—part of a new AI era for cybersecurity. - [Meta is playing the AI game with house money](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-is-playing-the-ai-game-with-house-money/): Mark Zuckerberg’s AI hiring spree is costing a lot of money. His investors don’t care. Meta’s stock price shot up over 10 percent on Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected earnings. Revenue generated in the second quarter was $47.5 billion, up 22 percent from a year ago. Daily users across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp […] - [All of your international packages are about to get more expensive](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/all-of-your-international-packages-are-about-to-get-more-expensive/): President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that will suspend the de minimis exemption — which allows packages with goods valued less than $800 to enter the US duty-free — for all countries. Earlier this year, Trump ended the de minimis exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong. The White House says […] - [Spotify’s terrible privacy settings just leaked Palmer Luckey’s bops and bangers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/spotifys-terrible-privacy-settings-just-leaked-palmer-luckeys-bops-and-bangers/): Have you ever wondered what bops powerful figures are listening to on Spotify? You’d be amazed what you can get with a profile search – but just in case you want them all in one place, there’s the Panama Playlists, a newly published collection of data on the musical listening habits of politicians, journalists, and […] - [ChatGPT’s Study Mode Is Here. It Won’t Fix Education’s AI Problems](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatgpts-study-mode-is-here-it-wont-fix-educations-ai-problems/): OpenAI’s new study mode for ChatGPT throws questions back at students, but the learning feature doesn’t address generative AI’s underlying disruption of education. - [Big Tech Asked for Looser Clean Water Act Permitting. Trump Wants to Give It to Them](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/big-tech-asked-for-looser-clean-water-act-permitting-trump-wants-to-give-it-to-them/): New AI regulations suggested by the White House mirror changes to environmental permitting suggested by Meta and a lobbying group representing firms like Google and Amazon Web Services. - [Meta’s AI Recruiting Campaign Finds a New Target](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-ai-recruiting-campaign-finds-a-new-target/): Meta approached more than a dozen staffers at Mira Murati’s AI startup to discuss joining its new superintelligence lab. One received an offer for more than $1 billion. - [YouTube tells creators they can drop more F-bombs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-tells-creators-they-can-drop-more-f-bombs/): YouTube videos with strong profanity in the first seven seconds (words like “fuck”) are now eligible for full monetization, according to a video from Conor Kavanagh, YouTube’s head of monetization policy experience. Previously, these kinds of videos were only eligible for “limited ad revenue.”   Changes to YouTube’s inappropriate language policies have long been a sore […] - [Lovense was told its sex toy app leaked users’ emails and didn’t fix it](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lovense-was-told-its-sex-toy-app-leaked-users-emails-and-didnt-fix-it/): Lovense, the maker of internet-connected sex toys, left user emails exposed for months — even after it became aware of the vulnerability. In a blog post spotted by TechCrunch and Bleeping Computer, security researcher BobDaHacker found that they could “turn any username into their email address,” which they could then use to take over someone’s […] - [LG’s StanbyMe 2 is an unquestionably cool TV at a questionably high price](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lgs-stanbyme-2-is-an-unquestionably-cool-tv-at-a-questionably-high-price/): The StanbyMe 2 becomes the SitbyMe 2 once you detach it from the rolling stand. | Image: LG LG’s StanbyMe 2 has all the ingredients of a good follow-up gadget: the 27-inch display is 1440p instead of 1080p, and instead of being trapped on its rollable stand, the screen is detachable for you to use […] - [Is Silicon Valley Losing Its Influence on DC?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-silicon-valley-losing-its-influence-on-dc/): This episode of Uncanny Valley covers black holes, woke AI, and the relationship between Silicon Valley billionaires and the Trump Administration. - [Seriously, Why Do Some AI Chatbot Subscriptions Cost More Than $200?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/seriously-why-do-some-ai-chatbot-subscriptions-cost-more-than-200/): The price of expensive chatbot subscriptions is driven by vibes—not immediate profitability for AI companies. - [The controversial legal tactic The Trump Organization is using to take down fake merch](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-controversial-legal-tactic-the-trump-organization-is-using-to-take-down-fake-merch/): Unauthorized merch promoting Donald Trump – from hats and mugs to signs and T-shirts – is everywhere online. Go to a Trump rally or other MAGA political event and you’re bound to find people hawking their DIY Trump wares. The Trump Organization apparently isn’t too pleased. A lawsuit filed last week claims online sellers on […] - [Samsung’s One UI 8 might shut down bootloader unlocking on Galaxy phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-one-ui-8-might-shut-down-bootloader-unlocking-on-galaxy-phones/): The Galaxy Z Fold 7 ships with One UI 8. Samsung’s One UI 8 update seems to prevent users from unlocking their device’s bootloader to load custom ROMs, as spotted earlier by SammyGuru. Over the weekend, users on the XDA Developers forum noticed that Samsung appears to have disabled the option on devices in regions […] - [Sony calls Tencent game ‘slavish clone’ of Horizon in new lawsuit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sony-calls-tencent-game-slavish-clone-of-horizon-in-new-lawsuit/): A screenshot from Light of Motiram. Sony is suing Tencent to attempt to stop the release of Light of Motiram, which Sony describes as a “slavish clone” of its Horizon series of games, as reported by Reuters. Light of Motiram was announced last year with a trailer featuring an aesthetic that’s quite similar to the […] - [The Fujifilm X-E5 proves familiar isn’t always a bad thing ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fujifilm-x-e5-proves-familiar-isnt-always-a-bad-thing/): The Fujifilm X-E5 has a familiar but gorgeous new look. The X-E5 is Fujifilm’s tiny powerhouse. It’s part of a line of cameras that has often been described as similar to the X100, except with an interchangeable lens. But the X-E line has evolved this year and is taking on a new shape. It used […] - [The Verge’s 2025 back-to-school shopping guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-verges-2025-back-to-school-shopping-guide/): Back-to-school season is closer than you might realize, especially for college students, many of whom are set to return to campus in a matter of a few short weeks. And while school can be a challenging time on many fronts, regardless of the grade, there are tools that can help you better prepare for life […] - [Apple beta season is here](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-beta-season-is-here/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 91, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, how is summer more than a month over already, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’m pondering the leaked Pixel 10 lineup, marveling […] - [Here are the laptops I’d tell any parent to consider for their back-to-school student](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-laptops-id-tell-any-parent-to-consider-for-their-back-to-school-student/): We’re in the heart of summer fun, but it’s already time for back-to-school planning, especially if that involves buying a new laptop. The dizzying number of different laptops and configurations can feel overwhelming, especially if you want something that doesn’t cost too much but will still last a long time. My general guidelines are to […] - [Online MAGA cope is now Congressional strategy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/online-maga-cope-is-now-congressional-strategy/): When it comes to defending Donald Trump from the worst accusations, the MAGA influencer-industrial complex, whether out of loyalty or self-preservation, often defaults to whataboutism, arguing that the Democrats are just as guilty as Trump, or (ideally) worse. This principle has held true with the current Jeffrey Epstein saga, and as their audience’s anger against […] - [The Drifter is a good old-fashioned thriller](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-drifter-is-a-good-old-fashioned-thriller/): Point-and-click adventure games often tell silly, lighthearted stories. For me, the mishaps of the pirate Guybrush Threepwood in the Monkey Island series come to mind. The nature of the genre – wandering around, talking to people, and trying to solve puzzles – lends itself well to humor, as every interaction with a person or object […] - [Trump’s Anti-Bias AI Order Is Just More Bias](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-anti-bias-ai-order-is-just-more-bias/): The Trump administration says it wants AI models free from ideological bias, as it pressures their developers to reflect the president’s worldview. - [GPD’s monster Strix Halo handheld requires a battery ‘backpack’ or a 180W charger](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gpds-monster-strix-halo-handheld-requires-a-battery-backpack-or-a-180w-charger/): Yesterday, I mentioned how GPD is teasing the most potent handheld yet made — a GPD Win 5 that will house the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, with AMD’s most powerful integrated graphics yet, inside a PlayStation Vita-shaped machine. If you’ve been wondering how that huge chip could even fit, handheld expert Cary “The Phawx” […] - [DJI couldn’t confirm or deny it disguised this drone to evade a US ban](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/dji-couldnt-confirm-or-deny-it-disguised-this-drone-to-evade-a-us-ban/): DJI barely sells drones in the United States anymore. The shelves are bare; resellers are jacking up prices. It appears an unofficial ban at US customs is to blame. But on Amazon, you can now buy a drone that’s a a dead ringer for the DJI Mini 4 Pro – the SkyRover X1 – for […] - [Google gets its swag back](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-gets-its-swag-back/): This week, I take a look at the surprisingly strong state of Google, Meta gets a new chief AI researcher, and more. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this week’s Decoder episode about deepfakes and where they are headed. Also, do you use an AI coding tool like Cursor or GitHub Copilot? […] - [Cursor’s New Bugbot Is Designed to Save Vibe Coders From Themselves](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cursors-new-bugbot-is-designed-to-save-vibe-coders-from-themselves/): One of the most popular platforms for AI-assisted programming says the next era of vibe coding is all about supercharging error detection. - [Paramount-Skydance merger approved after companies agree to government speech demands](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/paramount-skydance-merger-approved-after-companies-agree-to-government-speech-demands/): The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Skydance’s $8 billion purchase of CBS-owner Paramount after the companies agreed to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs but feature a “diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.” In light of the Trump administration’s critiques of CBS’s alleged anti-conservative bias — including collecting a […] - [Starlink’s satellite internet is back online after a massive outage](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/starlinks-satellite-internet-is-back-online-after-a-massive-outage/): Starlink users reported they couldn’t connect to SpaceX’s satellite internet service for a few hours on Thursday afternoon before service was eventually restored. Widespread Starlink outages, like the ones we reported on in 2022 and 2023, have been rare, and this appears to be the first one in 2025. The outage began around 3:15PM ET […] - [No, Instagram didn’t suspend Zohran Mamdani’s account for being ‘too socialist’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/no-instagram-didnt-suspend-zohran-mamdanis-account-for-being-too-socialist/): In a story published earlier this week, a site called “NYC Journals” claimed to have a bombshell: that Instagram had suspended the account of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for being “too socialist.” The story claimed that Mamdani’s account was down for three hours; it also cited a “leaked memo” from inside Instagram that […] - [Trump Says He’s ‘Getting Rid of Woke’ and Dismisses Copyright Concerns in AI Policy Speech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-says-hes-getting-rid-of-woke-and-dismisses-copyright-concerns-in-ai-policy-speech/): The remarks, which came during a keynote speech at a summit hosted by the All-In Podcast, follow President Donald Trump’s newly released AI Action Plan. - [Trump’s AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias’—and Regulation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-ai-action-plan-is-a-crusade-against-bias-and-regulation/): The Trump administration’s new AI policy blueprint calls for limited regulation and lots of leeway for Big Tech to grow even bigger. - [A New Era for WIRED—That Starts With You](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-new-era-for-wired-that-starts-with-you/): As of today, there are even more ways to enjoy WIRED’s journalism, including premium newsletters and livestream Q&As. Join us. - [Here is Lego’s official Nintendo Game Boy — with lenticular display](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-is-legos-official-nintendo-game-boy-with-lenticular-display/): We asked for the perfect Lego Nintendo Game Boy… did Lego deliver? After revealing this January that it would take up the challenge, it has revealed a most impressive take on the 1989 classic that’ll cost a relatively reasonable $60 in the US. It’s already up for pre-order today for an October 1st ship date. […] - [Trump wanted to break up Nvidia — but then its CEO won him over](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-wanted-to-break-up-nvidia-but-then-its-ceo-won-him-over/): Not long ago, President Donald Trump hadn’t even heard of Nvidia, the most valuable tech company in the world. But once he found out about the AI chip giant, he says, he wanted to break it up. “Before I learned the facts of life, I said, ‘we’ll break him up,’” Trump recalled today, in a […] - [Undeterred by limits, Elon Musk plots a big robotaxi expansion](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/undeterred-by-limits-elon-musk-plots-a-big-robotaxi-expansion/): A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. | Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images Tesla wants to bring its robotaxi service to new markets, including cities in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and California, Elon Musk said in an earnings call Wednesday. The company is […] - [Running JupyterLab Server on Raspberry Pi and Accessing it from Network Devices](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/running-jupyterlab-server-on-raspberry-pi-and-accessing-it-from-network-devices/): JupyterLab is a powerful web-based interactive development environment that’s perfect for data science, machine learning, and general Python programming. Setting it up on a Raspberry Pi allows you to create a portable, low-cost computing environment that can be accessed from any device on your network. This guide will walk you through the complete process of […] - [OpenAI Seeks Additional Capital From Investors as Part of Its $40 Billion Round](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-seeks-additional-capital-from-investors-as-part-of-its-40-billion-round/): OpenAI, which recently announced a $40 billion round of financing, is seeking funding from new and existing investors to fulfill the deal. - [X Data Center Fire in Oregon Started Inside Power Cabinet, Authorities Say](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/x-data-center-fire-in-oregon-started-inside-power-cabinet-authorities-say/): Generative AI has put data centers under the spotlight, and surging electricity needs could increase risk of fires. - [OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent Is Haunting My Browser](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-chatgpt-agent-is-haunting-my-browser/): New tools from OpenAI and Perplexity can browse the web for you. If the idea takes off, these generative AI agents could turn the internet into a ghost town where only bots roam. - [The Escobar Phone scam saga has finally come to an end](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-escobar-phone-scam-saga-has-finally-come-to-an-end/): They were Samsung phones with gold stickers on them. The former CEO of the company that marketed the sketchy-looking Escobar Fold 1 and Escobar Fold 2 phones — which you may remember from a 2020 video from Marques Brownlee — has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering, according to the US Department of Justice. […] - [Rove’s R2-4K dash cam is an extra set of eyes on the road and $48 off at Amazon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/roves-r2-4k-dash-cam-is-an-extra-set-of-eyes-on-the-road-and-48-off-at-amazon/): Getting into a car accident, even a fender bender, is stressful on its own, but then comes the argument about who was at fault. A dash cam can give you reliable proof of what happened, and Rove’s R2-4K is currently on sale for $71.99 ($48 off), an all-time low price at Amazon, and $89.99 ($30 […] - [Windows 11’s new update will add a bunch of AI features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/windows-11s-new-update-will-add-a-bunch-of-ai-features/): Copilot Vision can scan all of the apps and webpages you have open on your screen. Microsoft is releasing several new AI features for Windows 11, including its Copilot Vision tool that can scan everything on your screen. The features, which are gradually rolling out to everyone now, also include tools that are exclusive to […] - [Leaked Memo: Anthropic CEO Says the Company Will Pursue Gulf State Investments After All](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/leaked-memo-anthropic-ceo-says-the-company-will-pursue-gulf-state-investments-after-all/): “Unfortunately, I think ‘No bad person should ever benefit from our success’ is a pretty difficult principle to run a business on,” wrote Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in a note to staff obtained by WIRED. - [OpenAI's New CEO of Applications Strikes Hyper-Optimistic Tone in First Memo to Staff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-new-ceo-of-applications-strikes-hyper-optimistic-tone-in-first-memo-to-staff/): Soon-to-be former Instacart CEO Fidji Simo sent a memo to OpenAI staff Monday laying out her vision for how AI will change the world. - [Bryan Johnson Is Going to Die](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bryan-johnson-is-going-to-die/): Millions of dollars in treatments, supplements, and scans. Immortality through AI. Bryan Johnson’s longevity script has everything—except an ending. - [The best smart rings for tracking sleep and health](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-smart-rings-for-tracking-sleep-and-health/): So, you’re thinking of buying a smart ring. Well, some good news. Picking the best of the lot is incredibly easy right now. The “bad” news is that, as far as trustworthiness and reliability, your choices are somewhat limited, as this is still a niche and emerging gadget category. Smart rings are in the middle […] - [Citizen will share crime videos with the NYPD](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/citizen-will-share-crime-videos-with-the-nypd/): Mayor Eric Adams announced over the weekend that New York City will send users real-time public safety alerts based on their specific location through the crime-tracking app Citizen. The city also announced that public safety agencies, like the New York City Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Management, will have access to a portal to […] - [Tesla’s long-delayed retro diner and charging location is finally opening](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teslas-long-delayed-retro-diner-and-charging-location-is-finally-opening/): One of the giant screens at the diner. Tesla’s long-in-the-works 1950s-inspired diner and drive-in Supercharger station in Los Angeles is expected to officially open today – and the company may build more of them down the line. The Tesla Diner lets people grab comfort food like burgers and fries (served in boxes shaped like Cybertrucks) […] - [How to Limit Galaxy AI to On-Device Processing—or Turn It Off Altogether](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-limit-galaxy-ai-to-on-device-processing-or-turn-it-off-altogether/): You don’t have to accept the AI that Samsung offers you. - [The frenzied, gamified chase for Labubus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-frenzied-gamified-chase-for-labubus/): On Thursday night, I toggled endlessly between a TikTok Live stream and a shopping app in anticipation of 9:30PM. For 30 minutes, I hunted for an available listing; many expletives were uttered. I exhibited bot behavior and got iced out of the app multiple times. I tapped so many times my thumbs got sore. This […] - [The intolerable memes of Alligator Alcatraz](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-intolerable-memes-of-alligator-alcatraz/): Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s hastily built, $225 million-and-counting immigrant detention facility in the Everglades, is both a de facto concentration camp and a right-wing meme. President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters are willing to excuse – or are in some cases reveling in – allegations of inhumane treatment at the facility: worms in food, floors flooded […] - [I tasked Alexa Plus with tackling my to-do list — it was hit or miss](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tasked-alexa-plus-with-tackling-my-to-do-list-it-was-hit-or-miss/): Alexa Plus’s AI agent can navigate websites and book things for you, but it needs to verify its dates. One of the best features of Amazon’s new Alexa Plus is that I don’t have to “speak Alexa” anymore. I’ve been testing the voice assistant for about a week now, and it understands what I say, […] - [Here’s how to save on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 preorder](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/heres-how-to-save-on-a-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-preorder/): The forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s thinnest foldable yet. Our own Allison Johnson just published her full review ahead of the phone’s launch on July 25th, and while there’s certainly no denying it’s a spendy device, know that various carriers and retailers are offering a host of preorder incentives, many of which will […] - [The tech that the US Post Office gave us](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-tech-that-the-us-post-office-gave-us/): When you crack open your mailbox, it’s almost as if your letters just appear. Long before the days of speedy, overnight mail deliveries, postal service workers meticulously sorted through letters by hand and transported mail on horseback. For more than 250 years, the US Postal Service has worked behind the scenes to build a faster […] - [A mushroom casket marks a first for ‘green burials’ in the US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-mushroom-casket-marks-a-first-for-green-burials-in-the-us/): Loop Biotech’s “Living Cocoon” is a casket made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. “I’m probably the only architect who created a final home,” Bob Hendrikx tells The Verge. Tombs and catacombs aside, Hendrikx might be the only one to make a final home using mushrooms. Hendrikx is the founder and CEO of Loop […] - [Why AI is moving from chatbots to the browser](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-ai-is-moving-from-chatbots-to-the-browser/): Happy Friday. I’m back from vacation and still getting caught up on everything I missed. AI researchers moving jobs is getting covered like NBA trades now, apparently. Before I get into this week’s issue, I want to make sure you check out my interview with Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas on Decoder this week. It’s a […] - [The best Sonos speakers to buy in 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-sonos-speakers-to-buy-in-2025/): After the year of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been through, I can understand why some people are reluctant to spend money on the company’s products. But interim CEO Tom Conrad has shown that he’s determined to get back on track and revitalize Sonos as the leading whole-home audio brand. The contentious mobile app is […] - [The best instant cameras you can buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-instant-cameras-you-can-buy-right-now/): Even with the ability to take excellent photos with our phones and instantly share them across the world, there’s something magical about the old-school instant camera. With just a click of a button, you can capture a moment in a photo that you can see and touch almost immediately. Images captured by an instant camera […] - [This AI Warps Live Video in Real Time](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-ai-warps-live-video-in-real-time/): A startup called Decart has developed an AI model that can transform live footage. The results are mind-bending—and poised to take over streaming. - [Roblox’s New Age Verification Feature Uses AI to Scan Teens’ Video Selfies](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/robloxs-new-age-verification-feature-uses-ai-to-scan-teens-video-selfies/): Roblox will scan video selfies of teens to assess their ages as part of a new Trusted Connections feature that gives users access to unfiltered chatting with people they know. - [Hackers Are Finding New Ways to Hide Malware in DNS Records](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hackers-are-finding-new-ways-to-hide-malware-in-dns-records/): Newly published research shows that the domain name system—a fundamental part of the web—can be exploited to hide malicious code and prompt injection attacks against chatbots. - [Nintendo wants you to join its next mysterious Switch Online playtest](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-wants-you-to-join-its-next-mysterious-switch-online-playtest/): Late last year, Nintendo hosted a mysterious Switch Online playtest, and on Thursday, the company announced that it would be doing another test as part of the “Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program” and that it will be opening applications soon. This second round will be a test of the “same service” as before. Last time, […] - [Subaru’s new Uncharted EV looks like an undercover Toyota C-HR](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/subarus-new-uncharted-ev-looks-like-an-undercover-toyota-c-hr/): Subaru doesn’t have the deepest bench when it comes to EVs. There’s the Solterra, now in its third model year, and the upcoming Trailseeker, which promises to be the Outback to the Solterra’s Impreza when it comes out in 2026. Now we can add a new member to the lineup. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is […] - [The crypto industry got what it paid for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-crypto-industry-got-what-it-paid-for/): The crypto industry is beginning to see a return on one of its most prescient investments: Donald Trump. On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed three bills that industry supporters believe will bring more legitimacy and predictability to the digital currency space – and that critics warn could enrich the president’s own family and hand […] - [Watch Our Livestream Replay: Inside the AI Copyright Battles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/watch-our-livestream-replay-inside-the-ai-copyright-battles/): Curious about generative AI and copyright? On July 16, our writers answered your questions about this critical topic. - [Trump and the Energy Industry Are Eager to Power AI With Fossil Fuels](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-and-the-energy-industry-are-eager-to-power-ai-with-fossil-fuels/): At a Pittsburgh summit, the Trump administration, energy executives, and tech barons joined as one to promote AI as the future of fossil fuels. - [Former Top Google Researchers Have Made a New Kind of AI Agent](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/former-top-google-researchers-have-made-a-new-kind-of-ai-agent/): The mission? Teaching models to better understand how to build code will lead to superintelligent AI. - [Subnautica 2’s creators sue their publisher for ‘severely’ damaging the game’s release](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/subnautica-2s-creators-sue-their-publisher-for-severely-damaging-the-games-release/): The battle between Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton and the three former executives at its developer Unknown Worlds continues. Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — the three executives who Krafton terminated earlier this year — have filed a lawsuit detailing the alleged attempts by Krafton to torpedo the early access release of Subnautica 2 […] - [Google is raising the price of Nest Aware subscriptions again](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-raising-the-price-of-nest-aware-subscriptions-again/): Starting in mid-August Google is raising the price of its Nest Aware subscriptions. | Image: Google Google is raising the price of its Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus subscriptions starting in August 2025. According to emails sent out to subscribers today, the cost of the entry-level Nest Aware service is increasing from $8 per […] - [Elon Musk teases AI anime boyfriend based on Edward Cullen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musk-teases-ai-anime-boyfriend-based-on-edward-cullen/): This is obviously an anime Kylo Ren, but I guess Edward Cullen is the inspiration. | Image: xAI Days after introducing an AI ‘waifu’ companion for Grok, Elon Musk is now officially teasing a male version for the ladies. So far we can tell it is broody and dark-haired, and according to Musk, “his personality […] - [Another High-Profile OpenAI Researcher Departs for Meta](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/another-high-profile-openai-researcher-departs-for-meta/): Jason Wei, who worked on OpenAI’s o3 and deep research models, will be joining Meta’s superintelligence lab. His colleague Hyung Won Chung is also joining Meta, a source tells WIRED. - [I Tried Grok’s Built-In Anime Companion and It Called Me a Twat](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tried-groks-built-in-anime-companion-and-it-called-me-a-twat/): xAI’s new $300 monthly subscription comes with two AI companions powered by its most capable model to date. I tried them. It got weird. - [Thinking Machines Lab Raises a Record $2 Billion, Announces Cofounders](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/thinking-machines-lab-raises-a-record-2-billion-announces-cofounders/): Mira Murati and several other former OpenAI researchers are behind the buzzy AI startup, now valued at $12 billion and officially out of stealth. - [Now Microsoft’s Copilot Vision AI can scan everything on your screen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/now-microsofts-copilot-vision-ai-can-scan-everything-on-your-screen/): Microsoft is rolling out an update to Copilot Vision for Windows Insiders that lets the AI tool see everything that’s on your screen. Previously, the tool was able to look at two apps at a time and connect the dots between the two, but with this change, it can look at your whole desktop or […] - [How to choose which Apple Watch to buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-choose-which-apple-watch-to-buy/): It used to be easy to pick an Apple Watch. All you had to do was choose whether you wanted the larger model or the smaller one. Then Apple added optional cellular connectivity. Then, a more affordable Watch SE (now in its second generation) and, in 2022, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra (also now in […] - [To make Ironheart feel tactile, the show’s creative team had to get on the same page](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/to-make-ironheart-feel-tactile-the-shows-creative-team-had-to-get-on-the-same-page/): In Disney Plus’ Ironheart series, a young genius with an uncanny knack for building armored suits finds herself plunged into a shady, criminal underworld that gives her a chance to really show off her talents. Riri Williams is not Tony Stark, and while the Iron Man films clearly informed many of Ironheart‘s fantastical visuals, there’s […] - [AI 'Nudify' Websites Are Raking in Millions of Dollars](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-nudify-websites-are-raking-in-millions-of-dollars/): Millions of people are accessing harmful AI “nudify” websites. New analysis says the sites are making millions and rely on tech from US companies. - [Superman is a box office hit, but the hard part comes next](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/superman-is-a-box-office-hit-but-the-hard-part-comes-next/): Over the weekend, DC Studios’ new Superman feature became this year’s third-biggest box-office debut in the US. The movie’s success is a sign that theatergoers might actually not be quite as tired of superheroes as people tend to think, and that’s particularly notable for Warner Bros., given the studio’s plan to build a new cinematic […] - [FDA approves updated covid vaccines, but with severe new limits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/fda-approves-updated-covid-vaccines-but-with-severe-new-limits/): On Wednesday, the FDA approved the new round of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for use by seniors over the age of 65. But for anyone younger than that, the FDA approval only mentions  people who have “at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.” […] - [Samsung is Unpacking again in early September](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-is-unpacking-again-in-early-september/): Maybe those little AI sparkles are bursting out of a trifold phone? Maybe? Apple isn’t the only tech company to send out launch event invitations this week. If you’re keeping score at home, September is actually next week somehow, and Samsung is sneaking a virtual Unpacked in on September 4th before Apple hosts its annual […] - [Anthropic Settles High-Profile AI Copyright Lawsuit Brought by Book Authors](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-settles-high-profile-ai-copyright-lawsuit-brought-by-book-authors/): Anthropic faced the prospect of more than $1 trillion in damages, a sum that could have threatened the company’s survival if the case went to trial. - [Researchers Are Already Leaving Meta’s New Superintelligence Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/researchers-are-already-leaving-metas-new-superintelligence-lab/): CEO Mark Zuckerberg went on a recruiting blitz to lure top AI researchers to Meta. WIRED has confirmed that three recent hires have now resigned. - [Alexis Ohanian’s Next Social Platform Has One Rule: Don’t Act Like an Asshole](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/alexis-ohanians-next-social-platform-has-one-rule-dont-act-like-an-asshole/): The Reddit cofounder joins WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” podcast and opens up about his early days in tech, his plans for Digg, the future of women’s sports, and what his immigrant mom taught him about America. - [Microsoft hosts emergency press conference after protesters ‘storm a building’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-hosts-emergency-press-conference-after-protesters-storm-a-building/): Microsoft president Brad Smith hosted an impromptu press conference on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after protesters gained access to a building at the company’s headquarters and held a sit-in demonstration inside his office. Seated on the edge of his desk, in the office that had been occupied by protesters earlier that day, Smith addressed a […] - [Microsoft locks down a building after protesters get inside president’s office](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-locks-down-a-building-after-protesters-get-inside-presidents-office/): Redmond police outside Microsoft’s building 34 | Image: No Azure for Apartheid Microsoft has temporarily locked down a building at its headquarters after protesters managed to get inside the office of the company’s president. Current and former Microsoft workers held a sit-in protest inside Brad Smith’s office in Building 34, demanding that the company cut […] - [Here are 30 of our favorite deals from REI’s ongoing Labor Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-30-of-our-favorite-deals-from-reis-ongoing-labor-day-sale/): The Venu 3, our favorite Garmin smartwatch, is on sale for $50 off through September 1st. Just because temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. Fall is a perfect time to get outside, and it’s also a great opportunity to save on gadgets and gear designed for […] - [Elon Musk’s xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI Over App Store Rankings](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-xai-sues-apple-and-openai-over-app-store-rankings/): The xAI lawsuit claims that Grok’s ranking below ChatGPT is a sign of allegedly monopolistic behavior. - [IBM and NASA Develop a Digital Twin of the Sun to Predict Future Solar Storms](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ibm-and-nasa-develop-a-digital-twin-of-the-sun-to-predict-future-solar-storms/): The tool models the sun using AI, and its developers say it can anticipate solar flares 16 percent more accurately and in half the time of current prediction systems. - [I built a private Read-It-Later with RSS and Miniflux... and it's better than Pocket ever was](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-built-a-private-read-it-later-with-rss-and-miniflux-and-its-better-than-pocket-ever-was/): The recent shutdown of Pocket was the impetus I needed to develop a better solution. While I got some recommendations from various online communities, I wanted something more personal. Drawing on the knowledge I have developed so far, I quickly created a tool to save content for later reading, and it’s way better than Pocket. - [YouTube TV could lose Fox channels this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-tv-could-lose-fox-channels-this-week/): With the start of the NFL season looming, it’s also a window where many TV contracts are up for renewal, and on Monday evening, YouTube TV and Fox sent out alerts indicating that their contract could come to an end as soon as August 27th, at 5PM ET. Google-owned YouTube TV says that “Fox is […] - [The new entry-level Kindle Colorsoft is $30 off for a limited time](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-new-entry-level-kindle-colorsoft-is-30-off-for-a-limited-time/): Amazon’s 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is less than a month old, but it’s already on sale for $219.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Meanwhile, the new Colorsoft Kids — which includes a 12-month subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, a two-year extended warranty, and a cover-style case — has been discounted to $239.99 ($30 […] - [The 58 best Labor Day deals we’ve found so far](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-58-best-labor-day-deals-weve-found-so-far/): The AirPods 4 are $30 off ahead of Labor Day. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and while the prospect of cooler weather and shorter days can be a tough adjustment, at least there is always a great selection of deals to combat the post-summer blues. You’ll have to wait until September 1st […] - [The Hidden Ingredients Behind AI’s Creativity](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-hidden-ingredients-behind-ais-creativity/): Image generators are designed to mimic their training data, so where does their apparent creativity come from? A recent study suggests that it’s an inevitable by-product of their architecture. - [The Framework Desktop and Linux have shown me the path to PC gaming in the living room](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-framework-desktop-and-linux-have-shown-me-the-path-to-pc-gaming-in-the-living-room/): It’s small, it’s relatively quiet, it has a handy sleep mode with remote wake-up, and the front tiles are even rotatable. The Framework Desktop is a great fit for a living room. I’ve long dreamed of doing all my gaming on PC – a single platform that’s easily upgradeable and lets me play my overstuffed […] - [They’re trying to make deep-sea mining happen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/theyre-trying-to-make-deep-sea-mining-happen/): A protest in Netherlands. This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on deep-sea mining and critical minerals, follow Justine Calma. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started This is not how I […] - [The most fun way to look through old photos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-most-fun-way-to-look-through-old-photos/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 95, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, new gadget season is starting, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I am listening to independent radio (shoutout to Seattle’s KEXP), reading about […] - [Bose’s compact TV Speaker is more than $100 off right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/boses-compact-tv-speaker-is-more-than-100-off-right-now/): Bose’s entry-level soundbar features a compact design, making it a great fit for small bedrooms. | Image: Bose If you’re looking to upgrade your movie night, a soundbar is an easy way to beef up the audio. While there are some high-priced options out there, you don’t have to spend a lot to actually hear […] - [What’s on your desk, Dominic Preston?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/whats-on-your-desk-dominic-preston/): Not all of The Verge’s staff live in the US. For example, news editor Dominic Preston is based in London and is, as he says, “responsible for keeping our news coverage ticking over in UK mornings before the US team comes online.” He also curates our new Verge Daily newsletter and covers Android phones, especially […] - [The Fairphone 6 no longer feels like a compromise (except in the US)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fairphone-6-no-longer-feels-like-a-compromise-except-in-the-us/): The Fairphone 6 arrives almost two years after the 5, a testament to the company’s approach to the upgrade cycle. If anything, I suspect the company would be frustrated if Fairphone 5 owners were considering a new model already – these are phones to keep, to repair, and to hold on to until the bitter […] - [The Trump-Intel Deal Is Official](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-trump-intel-deal-is-official/): The $8.9 billion investment gives the US government a roughly 10 percent equity stake in Intel. - [Join Our Next Livestream: Back to School in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-our-next-livestream-back-to-school-in-the-age-of-ai/): Bring your stories and questions on August 28 as we explore our latest investigations into how tech is shaping education today. - [Apple accuses former Apple Watch staffer of conspiring to steal trade secrets for Oppo](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-accuses-former-apple-watch-staffer-of-conspiring-to-steal-trade-secrets-for-oppo/): Apple is suing a former employee on the Apple Watch team who left to join Oppo, alleging that he “conspired to steal Apple’s trade secrets relating to Apple Watch and to disclose them to his new employers.” Ahead of starting his new job at Oppo, the employee, Dr. Chen Shi, attended “dozens” of meetings with […] - [US government takes 10 percent stake in Intel in exchange for money it was already on the hook for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/us-government-takes-10-percent-stake-in-intel-in-exchange-for-money-it-was-already-on-the-hook-for/): Trump revealed the news during a briefing about the World Cup. | Photographer: Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Image The US is investing $8.9 billion into Intel, but most of the funds come from money that the government was supposed to pay the embattled chipmaker anyway. In an announcement on Friday, Intel said the federal government […] - [Netflix wants its partners to follow these rules when using gen AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/netflix-wants-its-partners-to-follow-these-rules-when-using-gen-ai/): Netflix has already faced backlash over the use of AI in  What Jennifer Did, director Jenny Popplewell’s 2024 true crime documentary that seemingly used AI-generated images in place of real archival photos. That documentary stood out as a shining example of gen AI’s ability to distort reality in situations where people are specifically looking to […] - [Meet Wukong, the AI Chatbot China Has Installed on Its Space Station](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meet-wukong-the-ai-chatbot-china-has-installed-on-its-space-station/): China has rolled out a chatbot on its Tiangong space station. Its mission: to improve safety, navigation, and coordination in orbit. - [Why Did a $10 Billion Startup Let Me Vibe-Code for Them—and Why Did I Love It?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-did-a-10-billion-startup-let-me-vibe-code-for-them-and-why-did-i-love-it/): I spent two days at Notion and saw an industry in upheaval. I also shipped some actual code. - [Netflix’s new Splinter Cell animated series kicks off in October](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/netflixs-new-splinter-cell-animated-series-kicks-off-in-october/): The Splinter Cell: Deathwatch animated series finally has a release date and a proper trailer, but Netflix already wants you to start thinking about what else it has coming down the pipeline. During this year’s Anime NYC convention, Netflix announced that Deathwatch is slated to debut on October 14th, and the series has added The […] - [Here are the best streaming service deals available right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-streaming-service-deals-available-right-now/): To celebrate the launch of ESPN Unlimited, Disney is offering a discounted bundle through January 5th. | Image: Getty Images So far, 2025 has been a great year for watching new, must-see TV shows and movies on subscription services. But if you, like many of us, have more concurrent subscriptions than you care to admit, […] - [Microsoft is bringing PC gaming apps and stores to its Xbox app on Windows](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-is-bringing-pc-gaming-apps-and-stores-to-its-xbox-app-on-windows/): Microsoft has started testing another handheld-friendly addition to its Xbox app, allowing PC gamers to quickly install and launch third-party apps like browsers, gaming utilities, and even rival storefronts. A new “My apps” feature is being tested in the Xbox app for Windows 11, and it looks like another way to avoid having to launch […] - [Do Large Language Models Dream of AI Agents?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/do-large-language-models-dream-of-ai-agents/): For AI models, knowing what to remember might be as important as knowing what to forget. Welcome to the era of “sleeptime compute.” - [The Fitbit App Is Turning Into an AI-Powered Personal Health Coach](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fitbit-app-is-turning-into-an-ai-powered-personal-health-coach/): Built with Gemini, Google’s AI health coach will be everything but a doctor. - [Google Pixel 10 Series, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a: Specs, Features, Release Date](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-pixel-10-series-pixel-watch-4-pixel-buds-2a-specs-features-release-date/): The Pixel 10 series is here. These are the first official flagship Android phones with magnetic Qi2 wireless charging. Also in tow are the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a earbuds. - [Today is your last chance to grab a PS5 before Sony’s price hikes go into effect](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/today-is-your-last-chance-to-grab-a-ps5-before-sonys-price-hikes-go-into-effect/): Sony announced a $50 price increase on all PlayStation 5 “slim” models in the US starting tomorrow, August 21st. The upcoming prices for a PS5 Digital Edition, the standard PS5, and the PS5 Pro are $499.99, $549.99, and $749.99, respectively; however, you can avoid paying the higher prices by picking up a PS5 at Amazon, […] - [Ricoh’s GR IV launches in September for a much steeper price than its predecessor](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ricohs-gr-iv-launches-in-september-for-a-much-steeper-price-than-its-predecessor/): The stealthy and no-frills camera is back. Ricoh is launching its GR IV compact camera in mid-September for $1,499.95, accompanied by a tiny new GF-2 add-on flash for $119.95. As initially announced in May, the GR IV will feature a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, slightly redesigned 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, new autofocus and stabilization systems, and 53GB […] - [Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant will show you what it’s talking about](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-gemini-live-ai-assistant-will-show-you-what-its-talking-about/): Google is bringing a bundle of new features to Gemini Live, its AI assistant that you can have real-time conversations with. Next week, Gemini Live will be able to highlight things directly on your screen while sharing your camera, making it easier for the AI assistant to point out a specific item. If you’re trying […] - [OpenAI Is Poised to Become the Most Valuable Startup Ever. Should It Be?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-is-poised-to-become-the-most-valuable-startup-ever-should-it-be/): The AI startup is chasing a $500 billion valuation, with backers betting it can become the next Apple or Google. There are reasons for skepticism. - [The AI-Powered PDF Marks the End of an Era](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-powered-pdf-marks-the-end-of-an-era/): As Adobe rolls out more generative AI features for the PDF, the era of chatbot-less software is firmly a thing of the past. - [The White House just joined TikTok](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-house-just-joined-tiktok/): While it was President Joe Biden who signed the law that would force  ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or face a ban, it’s his successor, Donald Trump, who has yet to fulfill his promise of arranging a deal to keep TikTok running, legally, in the United States. The current deadline for a deal […] - [WIRED Roundup: Why GPT-5 Flopped](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-why-gpt-5-flopped/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we dig into WIRED’s latest—from crude deportation memes to GPT-5’s negative reception. - [How Microschools Became the Latest Tech Mogul Obsession](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-microschools-became-the-latest-tech-mogul-obsession/): Between homeschool provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and Trump’s attempts to gut the Department of Education, teaching kids looks different now. Silicon Valley’s answer? Microschools. - [Tech in the Classroom: A History of Hype and Hysteria](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tech-in-the-classroom-a-history-of-hype-and-hysteria/): From calculators to ChatGPT, the introduction of new technology into schools has long inspired frenzied discourse: Will it revolutionize the system or rot kids’ brains? It often does neither. - [Nvidia’s GeForce Now is upgrading to RTX 5080 GPUs and opening a floodgate of new games](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-geforce-now-is-upgrading-to-rtx-5080-gpus-and-opening-a-floodgate-of-new-games/): It’s been two and a half years since Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service got a big boost in graphics, latency, and refresh rates — this September, Nvidia’s GFN will officially add its latest Blackwell GPUs. You’ll soon be able to rent what’s effectively an RTX 5080 in the cloud, one with a whopping 48GB […] - [Nvidia gives fake Harrison Ford better hair using spheres](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-gives-fake-harrison-ford-better-hair-using-spheres/): Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be the first game to get Nvidia’s new RTX Hair features next month. Instead of using triangles to model hair, Nvidia will use spheres to improve Harrison Ford’s virtual hair in the Indiana Jones game. RTX Hair is designed to improve lighting and shadows, all while maintaining performance […] - [Nvidia’s app gets global DLSS override and more control panel features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-app-gets-global-dlss-override-and-more-control-panel-features/): The Nvidia app is getting improvements to DLSS override, more control panel features, and Project G-Assist changes this week. Nvidia has been gradually improving its new app over the past 18 months since its release, and it’s getting closer to fully migrating all the legacy control panel options. This week’s Nvidia app update will include […] - [AI Is Designing Bizarre New Physics Experiments That Actually Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-designing-bizarre-new-physics-experiments-that-actually-work/): Artificial intelligence software is designing novel experimental protocols that improve upon the work of human physicists, although the humans are still “doing a lot of baby-sitting.” - [Why the former editor of Polygon is making a podcast for old gamers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-the-former-editor-of-polygon-is-making-a-podcast-for-old-gamers/): In a recent episode of Post Games, host Chris Plante explores how video games can help players understand death. He’s interviewing Kaitlin Tremblay, who is working on Ambrosia Sky, a game about death. “What is it about games that is so useful for exploring the topic?” Plante asks. “I think there’s something really lovely about […] - [The one feature that keeps me from recommending flip phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-one-feature-that-keeps-me-from-recommending-flip-phones/): How it started I carry a lot of different phones around, and I rarely get questions about them because most people stopped talking about which phone they own around 2017. I could be using an unreleased iPhone 18 Pro Max Air Ultra to pay for my coffee and nobody would raise an eyebrow (present company […] - [Teenage Engineering did it again](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teenage-engineering-did-it-again/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 94, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, did you hydrate today, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’m visiting LinkedIn way too much because of Mini Sudoku, looking at the […] - [The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is $600 off ahead of the new model’s debut](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-pixel-9-pro-fold-is-600-off-ahead-of-the-new-models-debut/): Some people like to stay on the cutting edge of technology. If that’s you, you already know that Google is going to officially unveil its Pixel 10 phones (including a new Fold) during its August 20th event. But if you’re someone who prefers to use these opportunities to save on last-gen tech, you’ve been rewarded […] - [Dead Take’s best scares come from real-life performances](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/dead-takes-best-scares-come-from-real-life-performances/): Dead Take, the second game from Tales of Kenzera: Zau developer Surgent Studios, is a quiet horror game where the monster is ambition and the lengths a person will go for stardom. Like a lot of horror games, Dead Take relies on jumpscares to get the heart pumping. But playing this game, my deepest, most […] - [A brazen attack on air safety is underway — here’s what’s at stake](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-brazen-attack-on-air-safety-is-underway-heres-whats-at-stake/): At the end of July, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) convened a three-day public hearing to investigate January’s mid-air collision over Washington, DC that killed 67 people. After the hearing, two conclusions were inescapable. First, the disaster should have been prevented by existing safety rules. And second, the government regulators responsible for air safety […] - [Decoding Palantir, the Most Mysterious Company in Silicon Valley](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/decoding-palantir-the-most-mysterious-company-in-silicon-valley/): This week on Uncanny Valley, we talk about one of the most notorious American corporations. So what does Palantir actually do? - [Developers Say GPT-5 Is a Mixed Bag](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/developers-say-gpt-5-is-a-mixed-bag/): Software engineers are finding that OpenAI’s new GPT-5 model is helping them think through coding problems—but isn’t much better at actual coding. - [Sam Altman Says ChatGPT Is on Track to Out-Talk Humanity](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-chatgpt-is-on-track-to-out-talk-humanity/): The OpenAI CEO addressed GPT-5 backlash, the AI bubble—and why he’s willing to spend trillions of dollars to win. - [Laura Loomer and the limits of posting everything](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/laura-loomer-and-the-limits-of-posting-everything/): PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10, 2024: Laura Loomer arrives at Philadelphia International Airport on The Trump Organization’s Boeing 757. | Photo: Getty Images For all the power she wields with the White House’s affairs, Laura Loomer does not have the traditional tools that her rivals in the MAGA influencer industrial complex have – the highest […] - [The best budget smartphone you can buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-budget-smartphone-you-can-buy/): You can get a great budget device these days if you know how to pick your priorities. | Image: The Verge Some of us take a kind of “I eat to live” rather than an “I live to eat” approach to gadgets. They’re tools that help you get things done, not something you want to […] - [Louisiana sues Roblox for creating an environment where ‘child predators thrive’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/louisiana-sues-roblox-for-creating-an-environment-where-child-predators-thrive/): The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the company has “permitted and perpetuated an online environment in which child predators thrive, directly contributing to the widespread victimization of minor children in Louisiana.”  Roblox sees more than 111.8 million daily active users, and it’s hugely popular with children, with users under […] - [AI Slop Is Ripping Off One of Summer’s Best Games. Copycats Are Proving Hard to Kill](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-slop-is-ripping-off-one-of-summers-best-games-copycats-are-proving-hard-to-kill/): Peak has sold millions of copies and is Aggro Crab’s biggest hit to date. That makes it a prime target for cloning. - [Why Trump Flip-Flopped on Nvidia Selling H20 Chips to China](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-trump-flip-flopped-on-nvidia-selling-h20-chips-to-china/): Nvidia struck a surprising deal after convincing the president that H20 chips aren’t a national security risk. But whether the reversal is good or bad depends on who you ask. - [Inside the Biden Administration's Gamble to Freeze China’s AI Future](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-biden-administrations-gamble-to-freeze-chinas-ai-future/): What really motivated the US government to ban Nvidia from selling powerful computer chips to China? - [Fortnite login is back after an outage](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/fortnite-login-is-back-after-an-outage/): Fortnite players are able to hop into matches following a login issue that Epic Games described as preventing users from “getting in reliably.” “This log-in outage is resolved; all players are able to log-in again across all platforms,” Epic said at 8:54PM ET. “We’ll continue monitoring our services to ensure there are no other issues.” […] - [Supreme Court opens door to social media age-gating in US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/supreme-court-opens-door-to-social-media-age-gating-in-us/): The Supreme Court will let Mississippi’s social media age verification law take effect while the case is being argued in court. In an unsigned ruling on Thursday, the court declined to block the law after an emergency petition from trade association NetChoice. The order offers no explanation, but in a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh […] - [The best Xbox controller to buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-xbox-controller-to-buy-right-now/): We live in a golden age of controllers. The gamepads on the market now are of higher quality, more versatile, and more customizable than anything from even one console generation ago. If you play games on an Xbox Series X or Series S (or a Windows PC), you have the unenviable task of choosing between […] - [OpenAI Designed GPT-5 to Be Safer. It Still Outputs Gay Slurs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-designed-gpt-5-to-be-safer-it-still-outputs-gay-slurs/): The new version of ChatGPT explains why it won’t generate rule-breaking outputs. WIRED’s initial analysis found that some guardrails were easy to circumvent. - [GPT-5 Doesn't Dislike You—It Might Just Need a Benchmark for Emotional Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gpt-5-doesnt-dislike-you-it-might-just-need-a-benchmark-for-emotional-intelligence/): Researchers studying the emotional impact of tools like ChatGPT propose a new kind of benchmark that measures a model’s emotional and social impact. - [Tesla’s graphics are about to get Unreal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teslas-graphics-are-about-to-get-unreal/): Tesla’s in-car visualizations for features like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving might be getting an upgrade with a switch to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. As reported by Not a Tesla App, Tesla hacker greentheonly says they found evidence of the change in Tesla’s 2025.20 firmware for Tesla Model S and Model X cars with AMD chips. […] - [Kodak says it’ll figure things out and won’t shut down](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kodak-says-itll-figure-things-out-and-wont-shut-down/): In a regulatory filing on Monday, Kodak warned investors that the 133-year-old photography company didn’t have the financing it would need to pay around $500 million of debt obligations that were coming due, raising doubts about the company’s ability to continue. But in a statement shared with The Verge, Kodak says it plans to use […] - [Stripe apologizes for customer service agents claiming LGBTQ products were banned](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/stripe-apologizes-for-customer-service-agents-claiming-lgbtq-products-were-banned/): Stripe, a financial services company that acts as a payment processor for millions of businesses including itch.io, has issued an apology following reports that members of its support team told callers the business does not support the sale of LGBTQ content. “We apologize: the information given by our support team was totally wrong,” said Stripe […] - [Character.AI Gave Up on AGI. Now It’s Selling Stories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/character-ai-gave-up-on-agi-now-its-selling-stories/): Startup Character.AI once promised superintelligence. Its new CEO says it’s now an entertainment company with 20 million users. - [Apple’s AI Ambitions Leave Big Questions Over Its Climate Goals](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-ai-ambitions-leave-big-questions-over-its-climate-goals/): Halfway to its 2030 net-zero goal, Apple faces slow and hold-out suppliers, a tariffs scramble, and an AI race that could profoundly impact eco-friendly ambitions. - [OpenAI Scrambles to Update GPT-5 After Users Revolt](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-scrambles-to-update-gpt-5-after-users-revolt/): GPT-5 was touted as a major upgrade to ChatGPT. Not all users think that’s the case, posting threads like “Kill 4o isn’t innovation, it’s erasure” on Reddit. - [WIRED Roundup: Unpacking OpenAI’s Government Partnership](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-unpacking-openais-government-partnership/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss the week’s news, from bitcoin miners trying to beat Trump’s tariffs to OpenAI’s new deal with the US government. - [An AI Model for the Brain Is Coming to the ICU](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/an-ai-model-for-the-brain-is-coming-to-the-icu/): The Cleveland Clinic and startup Piramidal are developing an AI model trained on brain wave data to monitor intensive care patients. - [That viral video of a ‘deactivated’ Tesla Cybertruck is a fake](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/that-viral-video-of-a-deactivated-tesla-cybertruck-is-a-fake/): Did Tesla remotely deactivate a Cybertruck in the middle of a highway because the owner featured it in an unauthorized music video? The story already seemed highly unlikely, and on Monday afternoon, Tesla tweeted about the video, saying, “This is fake – that’s not our screen. Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely.” On Sunday, Instagram […] - [Anthropic’s Claude chatbot can now remember your past conversations](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropics-claude-chatbot-can-now-remember-your-past-conversations/): On Monday, Anthropic released a hotly anticipated memory function for its Claude chatbot. In a YouTube video, the company demonstrated a user asking what they had been chatting about with Claude before their vacation. Claude searches past chats to read and summarize them for the user, then asks if they’d like to move on and […] - [Even the lowly canister vacuum now wants access to your Wi-Fi network](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/even-the-lowly-canister-vacuum-now-wants-access-to-your-wi-fi-network/): You can added canister vacs to the growing list of connected appliances. | Image: Miele Despite the convenience of cordless stick vacs, canister vacuums are still very much a thing for those with battery anxiety or those who want a lighter cleaner. Miele still offers over 20 different models of canister vacs in the US, […] - [7 password managers to help keep your apps safe](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/7-password-managers-to-help-keep-your-apps-safe/): Passwords still seem to be the most popular method of ensuring that the right person is using the right app or service, despite the slow adoption of passkeys, which are considered more secure. And because we should be using different ones for each device and/or app, the best way to track all of them is […] - [We found stuff AI is pretty good at](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/we-found-stuff-ai-is-pretty-good-at/): Tech companies keep telling everyone that this or that AI feature is going to change everything. But when you press them for examples, real, concrete examples of how those AI tools should be used, the answers tend to be lackluster. Sometimes AI tools feel so open-ended, it’s hard to know where to start or what […] - [How big trucks and SUVs gobbled up the entire auto industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-big-trucks-and-suvs-gobbled-up-the-entire-auto-industry/): How it started When I was growing up in the Midwest, everyone I knew drove small cars. My dad had a light pink Volvo 240, my mom drove a Dodge Dart, and my grandmother had a 1988 Honda Accord – which would eventually become my first car. We lived in the suburbs, so almost no […] - [RFK Jr. wants a wearable on every American — that future’s not as healthy as he thinks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rfk-jr-wants-a-wearable-on-every-american-that-futures-not-as-healthy-as-he-thinks/): Kennedy asserts that wearables will help Americans “take control” of their health. It’s not that simple. I keep hearing the same sentence repeating in my head. “My vision is that every American is wearing a wearable within four years.” RFK Jr., our current secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said this at […] - [Aura’s Aspen impressive digital frame is the most affordable it’s been](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/auras-aspen-impressive-digital-frame-is-the-most-affordable-its-been/): Returning to work or school from summer vacation is never easy, but the Aura Aspen could help you hold onto your favorite memories by putting them front and center. And right now, you can pick up the digital photo frame for around $199 ($30 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Aura, which is a new […] - [Is This Seat Taken? makes seating fussy people fun](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-this-seat-taken-makes-seating-fussy-people-fun/): Creating seating arrangements can be pretty stressful; the empath part of me strives to find the perfect seat for every person even if it’s a nearly impossible task. If it’s for a big, meaningful event, I get even more anxious. When you find the right place for everyone, though, it’s even more satisfying than a […] - [Truth Social’s New AI Chatbot Is Donald Trump’s Media Diet Incarnate](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/truth-socials-new-ai-chatbot-is-donald-trumps-media-diet-incarnate/): Truth Search AI appears to rely heavily on conservative outlet Fox News to answer even the most basic questions. - [The Vibes-Based Pricing of ‘Pro’ AI Software](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-vibes-based-pricing-of-pro-ai-software/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we’re talking about why some chatbot subscriptions are so expensive and how these premium prices were determined on vibes more than anything substantial. - [Join Our Next Livestream: What GPT-5 Means for ChatGPT Users](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-our-next-livestream-what-gpt-5-means-for-chatgpt-users/): On August 14, bring your questions about OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-5, and what it means for the future of chatbots. - [ChatGPT is bringing back 4o as an option because people missed it](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatgpt-is-bringing-back-4o-as-an-option-because-people-missed-it/): OpenAI is bringing back GPT-4o in ChatGPT just one day after replacing it with GPT-5. In a post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed that the company will let paid users switch to GPT-4o after ChatGPT users mourned its replacement. “We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o,” Altman says. “We […] - [The best Android phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-android-phones/): The Android ecosystem is all about choice. While iPhone owners have a smaller pool of new devices to pick from when it’s time to upgrade, there’s a wider range of choices on Android. Some Android phones even fold in half! Imagine. On the flip side, all that choice can make for some hard decisions. Here’s […] - [A decade later, Windows is still bringing Control Panel features to the Settings app](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-decade-later-windows-is-still-bringing-control-panel-features-to-the-settings-app/): I kid you not, we wrote these words in 2014: Microsoft has tried to dumb down its Control Panel with a simple UI over the years, rather than a list of options, but there’s still a number of settings that don’t exist in the new PC Settings app. “Why do I have to go the […] - [OpenAI Finally Launched GPT-5. Here's Everything You Need to Know](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-finally-launched-gpt-5-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/): OpenAI released GPT-5 on Thursday to both free users of ChatGPT and paying subscribers. - [Age Verification Is Sweeping Gaming. Is It Ready for the Age of AI Fakes?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/age-verification-is-sweeping-gaming-is-it-ready-for-the-age-of-ai-fakes/): Discord users are already using video game characters to bypass the UK’s age-check laws. AI deepfakes could make things even more complicated. - [OpenAI gets caught vibe graphing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-gets-caught-vibe-graphing/): Something’s off with that chart on the left. During its big GPT-5 livestream on Thursday, OpenAI showed off a few charts that made the model seem quite impressive — but if you look closely, some graphs were a little bit off. In one, ironically showing how well GPT-5 does in “deception evals across models,” the […] - [The Browser Company’s AI browser now has a $20 subscription](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-browser-companys-ai-browser-now-has-a-20-subscription/): The Browser Company — the makers of the Arc browser — just launched a $20 per month subscription to its new AI-powered web browser, Dia, as reported earlier by TechCrunch. The new Dia Pro subscription comes with unlimited access to the browser’s chat feature, which lets you ask questions about the content in your tabs. […] - [The latest iPad Air is cheaper than ever ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-latest-ipad-air-is-cheaper-than-ever/): You can save $150 on various iPad Air configurations. Laptops are great, but sometimes it’s simply just more convenient to use a tablet like the iPad Air. The Air’s easier to carry, after all, and still powerful enough to handle everything from streaming to taking notes and reading. And right now, the latest version of […] - [A Single Poisoned Document Could Leak ‘Secret’ Data Via ChatGPT](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-single-poisoned-document-could-leak-secret-data-via-chatgpt/): Security researchers found a weakness in OpenAI’s Connectors, which let you hook up ChatGPT to other services, that allowed them to extract data from a Google Drive without any user interaction. - [Inside the US Government's Unpublished Report on AI Safety](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-us-governments-unpublished-report-on-ai-safety/): The National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted a groundbreaking study on frontier models just before Donald Trump’s second term as president—and never published the results. - [OpenAI Announces Massive US Government Partnership](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-announces-massive-us-government-partnership/): The ChatGPT maker is providing its frontier AI models to federal agencies for $1 for the next year. - [OpenAI Just Released Its First Open-Weight Models Since GPT-2](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-just-released-its-first-open-weight-models-since-gpt-2/): The models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, represent a major shift for the AI company. - [Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic’s Retired AI Model](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/claude-fans-threw-a-funeral-for-anthropics-retired-ai-model/): Roughly 200 people gathered in San Francisco on Saturday to mourn the loss of Claude 3 Sonnet, an older AI model that Anthropic recently killed. - [God's Eye: BYD's latest ADAS System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gods-eye-byds-latest-adas-system/): BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently unveiled its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) known as “God’s Eye.” This innovative system aims to democratize smart driving technology by making it standard across a wide range of BYD models, including budget-friendly options like the Seagull hatchback. By integrating “God’s Eye” into its vehicles, BYD seeks […] - [Framework Unveils New Modular Laptops and Desktop PC for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/framework-unveils-new-modular-laptops-and-desktop-pc-for-2025/): Framework has launched three innovative products: the Framework Laptop 12, a compact convertible; the upgraded Framework Laptop 13, featuring improved performance and modularity; and its first-ever Framework Desktop PC. Emphasizing sustainability and user empowerment, each device promotes repairability, reducing electronic waste while delivering high performance and customization options for users. - [NASA and Nokia Partner to Build the First Cellular Network on the Moon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nasa-and-nokia-partner-to-build-the-first-cellular-network-on-the-moon/): In a groundbreaking venture that bridges cutting-edge telecommunications and space exploration, Nokia and NASA have embarked on a mission to establish the first cellular network on the Moon. This ambitious project is not just about deploying technology—it’s about enabling a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By leveraging LTE/4G technology, the partnership aims to […] - [iPhone 16e: The affordable iPhone, Really?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/iphone-16e-the-affordable-iphone-really/): Apple has launched the iPhone 16e in India as a budget-friendly option within the iPhone 16 series, starting at ₹59,900. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, A18 chip, and 48MP camera. While it offers good performance, consumers may consider other models for additional features. Pre-orders start February 21, 2025. - [Microsoft's Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: The Majorana 1 Chip](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-breakthrough-in-quantum-computing-the-majorana-1-chip/): Microsoft has announced a significant milestone in quantum computing with the introduction of the Majorana 1 chip. This innovation marks a leap forward in the development of practical quantum computers, leveraging a novel Topological Core architecture based on Majorana quasiparticles. This new approach promises to accelerate the transition from theoretical quantum systems to scalable, real-world […] - [Stellantis and Mistral AI Team Up to Revolutionize Automotive Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/stellantis-and-mistral-ai-team-up-to-revolutionize-automotive-technology/): The partnership between Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automakers, and Mistral AI, a cutting-edge French artificial intelligence firm, represents a significant turning point in the integration of advanced technology within the automotive industry. This strategic collaboration not only promises to enhance in-car experiences but also revolutionize vehicle engineering, manufacturing processes, and internal operations. With […] - [Delivering Humans under 10 Min: Topmate.io](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/delivering-humans-under-10-min-topmate-io/): In an era where instant gratification is the norm, a groundbreaking Indian startup, Topmate.io, has taken the concept of rapid delivery to an unprecedented level. While services like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart have set benchmarks by delivering groceries in under 10 minutes, Topmate.io has upped the ante by promising to “deliver” human expertise within the […] - [Zomato's Rebranding](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zomatos-rebranding/): In a strategic move to reflect its diversified business operations, Zomato Limited has announced a rebranding of its parent company to “Eternal Limited.” This change, approved by the company’s board of directors, signifies Zomato’s evolution beyond its core food delivery services. Expansion into Multiple Verticals Eternal Limited will encompass four primary business segments: This rebranding […] - [DeepSeek: Transforming the AI Landscape](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deepseek-transforming-the-ai-landscape/): Introduction In the realm of artificial intelligence, the entry of new players can dramatically shift the balance of power. This is especially true when a startup not only matches but also challenges the capabilities of some of the industry’s most well-funded entities. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup founded in 2023, is one such disruptor. Its […] - [THe 500 Billion Dollar Project: Stargate Project](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-500-billion-dollar-project-stargate-project/): In a landmark move to solidify the United States’ position at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) development, leading technology firms have announced a monumental investment in AI infrastructure. On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the “Stargate Project,” a collaborative venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank Group, Oracle, and MGX, aiming to invest up to […] - [Sneak Peek into the unrealeased Creality CFS Upgrade Kit for K1 Series](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sneak-peek-into-the-unrealeased-creality-cfs-upgrade-kit-for-k1-series/): Creality enthusiasts, rejoice! A buzz is building around the CFS Upgrade Kit for Creality’s K1 series printers. While this product hasn’t been officially launched yet, some online platforms are already listing the kit, and an unlisted video—presumably from Creality itself—has surfaced, providing a tantalizing glimpse into what might be one of the most exciting upgrades […] - [Creality Hi Combo: A New Era in 3D Printing Innovation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/creality-hi-combo-a-new-era-in-3d-printing-innovation/): The 3D printing industry is buzzing with excitement as Creality, a leading name in the world of additive manufacturing, unveils its latest product—the Creality Hi Combo. This revolutionary device is set to redefine 3D printing, combining unparalleled efficiency, versatility, and user-friendly features that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Specifications The Creality Hi Combo […] - [Apple Eavesdropping Case: A Deep Dive into Privacy Concerns](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-eavesdropping-case-a-deep-dive-into-privacy-concerns/): In an age dominated by smart devices and interconnected ecosystems, the line between convenience and privacy is thinner than ever. Apple, a tech giant known for championing user privacy, found itself embroiled in controversy over an alleged eavesdropping case. This incident has sparked widespread discussions about the trustworthiness of smart devices and the companies that […] - [Mouse Without Borders: The Ultimate Productivity Tool in Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mouse-without-borders-the-ultimate-productivity-tool-in-windows-powertoys/): Imagine seamlessly controlling multiple computers with just one keyboard and mouse—no need for extra hardware or cables cluttering your desk. That’s exactly what the Mouse Without Borders feature in Windows PowerToys offers. Designed for users juggling multiple PCs, this innovative tool ensures a streamlined workflow and enhanced productivity. What is Mouse Without Borders? Mouse Without […] - [Samsung Wall-E !!! Sorry Ballie](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-wall-e-sorry-ballie/): Imagine having a tiny, rolling robot that’s more than just a gadget — your companion, helper, and little home assistant. Meet Samsung Ballie, the cutest thing to roll out of CES 2020. This little guy is packed with smarts, charm, and enough tech wizardry to make your life smoother, more connected, and a lot more […] - [NVIDIA at CES 2025: Shaping the Future of AI, Gaming, and Robotics](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nvidia-at-ces-2025-shaping-the-future-of-ai-gaming-and-robotics/): The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas served as a platform for NVIDIA to showcase transformative advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, robotics, and automotive technology. The company’s announcements solidified its position as a global leader in innovation, with groundbreaking products and partnerships that aim to redefine the technological landscape. NVIDIA CEO Jensen […] - [The Honey Trap: The Honey Scam](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-honey-trap-the-honey-scam/): The digital world is no stranger to controversy, but when it involves a tool loved by millions of online shoppers, the stakes get even higher. Honey, the popular browser extension once lauded for making online shopping more affordable, has recently been under fire. What started as a clever idea for saving money has now become […] - [UPS for Your WiFi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/ups-for-your-wifi/): If you have a home network that relies on WiFi, you might want to consider getting a WiFi UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to protect your devices and data from power outages. A WiFi UPS is a device that plugs into your router and provides backup power in case of a power failure. It can also […] - [Logitech K380 Keyboard](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/logitech-k380-keyboard/): If you are looking for a portable wireless keyboard that can connect to multiple devices and offer a comfortable typing experience, you might want to consider the Logitech K380 keyboard. This keyboard is compact, lightweight, and versatile, and it can work with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and even Apple TV. In this blog […] - [Dear OnePlus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/dear-oneplus/): I have not used this platform to say anything negative about products but in this article, I am going to express my personal disappointment. Your experience may vary greatly. This could sound harsh and direct as I have not minced my words by using feel-good words. First of all, I’ll give you some context about […] - [Google Storage Cleanup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/google-storage-cleanup/):  When Google announced the end of its unlimited photos storage everyone felt that someone near and dear to them had betrayed them. While the inevitable is going to happen one day we can at least delay it and avoid the expense of the privilege of the seamless backup experience. Although most of us are not […] - [Crucial Tool for RAM Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/crucial-tool-for-ram-upgrade/): I have seen many comments on my RAM upgrade videos asking if their laptops are upgradable and how much ram is supported or if the storage is supported or not. Today we will take a look at a tool by Crucial which will help you to see how much ram and storage is supported by […] - [Laptop SSD Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/laptop-ssd-upgrade/): Today we are upgrading the SSD of my Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop. It came with a 128GB M.2 SSD as the boot drive(C drive) which is very small by today’s standards. Even phones come with more storage nowadays. So first we will start with the backup of the data in the C drive. Remember we […] - [Microsoft Edge is testing a modern RSS feed that lets you follow YouTube creators](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/microsoft-edge-is-testing-a-modern-rss-feed-that-lets-you-follow-youtube-creators/): In the era of Influencers, vloggers, and content creators, every new method to follow our favorite online celebrities matters. The newest addition comes from Microsoft, through its Edge web browser. The latest Canary builds include a new “Followable Web” feature — on Windows at least. It allows users to easily follow select YouTube content creators […] - [Google Chrome will soon let you follow your favorite websites](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/google-chrome-will-soon-let-you-follow-your-favorite-websites/): Google Chrome is the most popular browser out there, be it PC or mobile. And being a market leader, it’s always looking to stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with new ideas and features. These new experiments don’t land directly on the stable version of Google Chrome. Rather, they first appear on the Google […] - [gReader ends a 4 year hiatus with a new update on Play Store](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/greader-ends-a-4-year-hiatus-with-a-new-update-on-play-store/): gReader, a popular RSS reader app, is receiving a new update on Google Play Store as the app marks an official return after a near 4 year hiatus. The v4.0.3 was the last update to the app and that was rolled out all the way back in March 2017. - [Best Amazon Great Indian Festival Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/best-amazon-great-indian-festival-deals/): SmartPhones Samsung Galaxy A51(₹2500 discount): https://amzn.to/3dyspZr Samsung Galaxy M01 Core (₹4,999/-):https://amzn.to/3566cOz  Samsung Galaxy M31 (₹ 15,499/-): https://amzn.to/3566ipp OnePlus 8 (start at ₹39,999/-): https://amzn.to/3m7x1ZN Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (₹ 49,999/-): https://amzn.to/37gzHA2 Samsung Galaxy M31 (3 months prime membership free ₹ 16,499/-): https://amzn.to/3dH4A1K Laptops Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5 (₹ 55,990/-): https://amzn.to/356hzpB HP Pavilion Gaming DK0268TX (₹62,990): https://amzn.to/2T4naaA ASUS VivoBook 14 Intel Core i5 (₹50,990): https://amzn.to/31eKYwR Lenovo […] - [PC Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/pc-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my windows computer. Task Manager Startup: The most basic way to speed up the startup time of a system is to disable the unnecessary startup software from the task manager. Open the task manager by right-clicking the taskbar. Then […] - [Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/amazon-prime-day-deals/):   SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I Card – C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card – SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN Brand Conquer Card Reader USB 30 All-in-1 USB 30USB CMicro Portronics Q-Charger Portable Universal Charging Hub with a QC 3.0 and 3 5V USB Ports and a Mobile Docking Station, Black BenQ 28-inch UHD 4K HDR JBL […] - [Ultimate Laptop Processor Guide (Intel)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/ultimate-laptop-processor-guide-intel/): The most important part we spend the most time in selecting while buying a new laptop is the processor and we are not wrong. The naming of most processors is at the very least confusing. In this post, we will see the naming scheme of Intel laptop processors. There is a lot more to a […] - [Best Headphones for lockdown](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-headphones-for-lockdown/): The most important thing that gained attention and popularity in lockdown is video conferencing, video calling. The most important thing for video calling is a good pair of headphones to wear all day and cope up with the stress of being connected all day. The best kind of headphones for this purpose is gaming headphones […] - [Become the Power User || Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/become-the-power-user-windows-powertoys/): Windows Power Toys is a windows utility tool that is developed by windows for power users which gives enhanced utility options that are not necessarily useful for normal users. The source code is available on GitHub here. This tool increases productivity by some features like fancy zones, image resizer in explorer, powerful renaming tool, keyboard […] - [The most powerful tool of your PC || Windows Task Manager](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-most-powerful-tool-of-your-pc-windows-task-manager/): Last month the developer of the windows task manager shared his story about task manager in his days at Microsoft. You can read it here. In this post, we’ll see the power of task manager and its uses to make you a power user. Usually, we open it when a software does not work properly […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Premium Midrange and Premium Samsung Phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-premium-midrange-and-premium-samsung-phone/): In this series of “If not Chinese then what?” today we are going to see the premium devices from Samsung and some underrated phones which are more value for money and compare directly to the flagships. Samsung has been experimenting with the A-series of its devices. The A80 is a phone that had the flip […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Midrange Budget Samsung](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-midrange-budget-samsung/): With the trend going on in India about banning the Chinese products I thought of compiling the non-Chinese brands which compete directly with the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.  In this post, I will be focusing on Android and mostly on Samsung as being a reputable brand and its devices are also available in […] - [Connect LCD Display to Arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/connect-lcd-display-to-arduino/): Connecting LCD to Arduino to display various things is fun if you know how to. It is very simple just follow the simple steps. Gather the things necessary to do so like Arduino (mega 2560 for example), LCD display(16×2), Jumper Wires, Potentiometers (1k/10k). Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram. I this example […] - [Using HC-SR04 (Ultrasonic sensor) with arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/using-hc-sr04-ultrasonic-sensor-with-arduino/): HC-SR04 is an ultrasonic sensor which works on the principle of ultrasonic waves. Basically it creates a pulse depending on the distance from the sensor. It has two eyes like structure one of which transmits the waves and the other acts as receiver. The sensor has 4 pins VCC, TRIG, ECHO, GND. When the sensor is […] - [OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/oneplus-bullets-wireless-z/): The new OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z have launched silently and have created quite the noise. The design is the same as that of the bullets wireless 2 which was much appreciated for the comfort for the more rounded off design. All the much-appreciated features are present too like the warp charge which provides the 10 […] - [Best Alternatives to iPhone SE](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-alternatives-to-iphone-se/): iPhone recently launched the iPhone SE and the major attention that it has gotten is from the western audience primarily due to the face that the phone costs a mere $400. Although the phone seems to be a perfect fit for the western market, it has major competition in the Asian market due to the […] - [The New Microsoft Surface lineup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-new-microsoft-surface-lineup/): Amid the pandemic and mass lockdown Microsoft has digitally announced the update to the Surface Book, Surface Go, Surface Headphones and the Surface Earbuds. Surface Book 3 The Surface Book with the touch display and the 3:2 aspect ratio is considered to be a productivity machine. The specs also agree with the claims. It is […] - [How Practical is iPhone SE in India](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/how-practical-is-iphone-se-in-india/): First of all, let’s go through the departments where the iPhone SE shines. Performance: With the A13 and 3GB RAM it is the most powerful phone as the A13 is the latest and greatest chipset as it is even better than the Snapdragon 865. The optimized iPhone apps even outperform the android counterpart even with […] - [Best Android Phone Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-android-phone-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my phone. I am using a mi a1 for this. It is a fairly old device with 4gb of ram. Recently I realized that the ram management is getting worse day by day and especially during payments the page […] - [Best iPad Setup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-ipad-setup/): With the new iPadOS and the mouse support the iPad is becoming more of a portable laptop and an artists paradise. The iPad can never be a full-fledged computer but the iPadOS with mouse/track-pad support has perfectly bridged the gap between a mobile and a computer. People requiring large screen and a keyboard will find […] - [Best upgrade for your slow laptop || Laptop SSD upgrade || RAM upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-upgrade-for-your-slow-laptop-laptop-ssd-upgrade-ram-upgrade/):           Most of the new laptop nowadays come with SSD installed. SSD is Solid State Storage which is much faster than the traditional optical Hard Disk Drive. Even the entry-level SSD like the WD Green has Read speeds of 545 Mb/s which is very fast.        The old laptops […] - [Best Mobile Browsing Experience (Chrome Flags)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-mobile-browsing-experience-chrome-flags/): Chrome has some interesting features in testing which are hidden in the flags section which you can access by typing this URL in the address bar. Although these features are experimental they work 99% of the time. Today I am going to share some of these flags which I find useful. 1. An ephemeral tab […] - [OnePlus 7 Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/oneplus-7-pro/): OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 7 Pro and it is truly a pro. Let’s take a look as to what makes it a pro. Firstly the display upgrade is huge with the resolution of 1440p making the pixel density of 516ppi and a refresh rate of 90Hz the screen is sharp and smooth as an […] - [Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/google-pixel-3a-and-3a-xl/): Google held its Google i/o event and introduced a lot of software and hardware improvements and its future plans. The main introduction in the hardware sector was the introduction of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. With this google is trying to reach out to the budget sector and more accessibility of the latest software to […] - [Minimize YouTube App (YouTube Vanced)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/minimize-youtube-app-youtube-vanced/): Sometimes while watching a video on youtube you get a message and when you tap on it to reply the video stops and you get furious as to why it stopped and then the realization kick in that it not a player by the youtube app. Natively youtube does not allow background play or picture-in-picture […] - [Gesture navigation like iPhone on any phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/gesture-navigation-like-iphone-on-any-phone/): The recent trend in smartphone technology is to minimize the bezzles and stretch the displays as far to the edges as possible. Companies are doing crazy things like notches, holes in displays and also pop up cameras. But this has resulted to the displays getting bigger rather than shrinking the form factor or the phone […] - [Where is OnePlus heading?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/where-is-oneplus-heading/): OnePlus has been teasing the OnePlus 7 recently with a launch date of 14 May.  Today OnePlus released a video captioned “Waterproof ratings for phones cost you money. We just bought a bucket.” This clearly states that the new OnePlus 7 series will not have any kind of waterproof ratings but they will be waterproof. […] - [There's a Spark in Android - Spark Email](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/theres-a-spark-in-android-spark-email/): April 2 marked a special day when Google officially shut down Google+ and Inbox. While one email client went down one emerged. The famous Spark mail which was on iPhones and mac for quite a while came to the Android. It has been a month now and it has already seen 100k+ downloads. User Interface […] - [Adobe Rush on Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/adobe-rush-on-android/): Adobe has dominated the creative industry for quite a while now. Recently the creative has seen a shift from large scale movie and professional format to the short format and faster output. Youtube and Instagram is the home of this type of content. Rather than the content, in recent times there is been a surge […] - [File managers for Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2017/file-managers-for-android/):      There are a plethora of file managers for Android on Google play store, which makes choosing very difficult. While most of them perform the basic tasks some of them have more to offer. So we will try to make things easier by discussing some of the popular and free file managers. Files Go […] - [Distillation Can Make AI Models Smaller and Cheaper](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/distillation-can-make-ai-models-smaller-and-cheaper/): A fundamental technique lets researchers use a big, expensive model to train another model for less. - [Amazon, Google, and Microsoft warn employees to rush back to the US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-google-and-microsoft-warn-employees-to-rush-back-to-the-us/): With new restrictions and fees on work visas in the US set to take effect at midnight tonight, it’s no surprise that many employers are advising workers abroad to return to the US. Leaked memos from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have been circulating on social media that instruct instruct any H-1B visa holders currently traveling to immediately make travel arrangements to land in the US before 12AM ET on Sunday September 21st. The companies all acknowledge the limited warning provided and apologize, promising to provide more guidance as the situation evolves. The memos also advise any H-1B employees and their […] - [Trump announces skilled worker visas will now cost $100,000](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-announces-skilled-worker-visas-will-now-cost-100000/): All the fawning by tech CEOs wasn’t enough to convince Donald Trump to back off his crusade against immigrants. Yesterday the president announced that the government would be adding a $100,000-a-year fee on all H-1B visas in an effort to discourage their use.  While many industries make significant use of the H-1B program to attract highly skilled foreign workers, the tech industry is particularly reliant. Amazon has roughly 14,000 H-1B workers across its multiple entities, far more than any other company according to data from the federal government. But Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Tata Consultancy (a major IT services […] - [Prime members can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/prime-members-can-get-three-months-of-kindle-unlimited-for-free/): A three-month Kindle Unlimited subscription is free for Amazon Prime members right now. A cool new perk recently became available for Prime members: for a limited time, you can get a three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited. If your ebookshelf is looking bare, Amazon is currently offering a three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited for free. The service typically costs $11.99 per month, so the deal saves you $35.97 over the course of the trial. Keep in mind that your subscription will automatically renew once the trial period is over. The discount is one of Amazon’s early Prime Big Deal Days deals […] - [YouTube Thinks AI Is Its Next Big Bang](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-thinks-ai-is-its-next-big-bang/): On its 20th anniversary, YouTube is venturing into an era of AI-generated video, and may never be the same. - [Meta Accused of Torrenting Porn to Advance Its Goal of AI ‘Superintelligence’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-accused-of-torrenting-porn-to-advance-its-goal-of-ai-superintelligence/): Strike 3 Holdings is suing Meta in federal court, alleging the tech giant pirated copyrighted adult videos to train its AI models. - [Trump claims the US is about to get a tremendous fee for taking TikTok out of China](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-claims-the-us-is-about-to-get-a-tremendous-fee-for-taking-tiktok-out-of-china/): A 10 percent stake in Intel, 15 percent of Nvidia’s China sales, a “golden share” of Nippon Steel — what price will Trump extract next in exchange for favorable treatment? Well, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Trump Administration is “expected to collect a multibillion-dollar fee” in exchange for negotiating a US takeover of TikTok’s US business. That fee will reportedly come from TikTok’s US investors, including private equity firm Silver Lake and Oracle, with the new group getting half of TikTok, while TikTok China’s parent company ByteDance would still have under 20 percent. Yesterday, Trump said that […] - [Windows 11 is adding another Copilot button nobody asked for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/windows-11-is-adding-another-copilot-button-nobody-asked-for/): Have enough Copilot buttons in your life? No you don’t — have another one! This one pops up in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview when mousing over an open app in your taskbar; it lets you share the contents with Copilot Vision. Want to know who is celebrating in that dogpile on the mound, or dig a little deeper on that sculpture you took a photo of? Just click that “Share with Copilot” button that pops up in the window preview. Copilot Vision scans what’s on your screen, analyzes it, and lets you discuss the contents of the window […] - [Ex-Disney CEO Michael Eisner calls the FCC’s threats ‘out-of-control intimidation’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ex-disney-ceo-michael-eisner-calls-the-fccs-threats-out-of-control-intimidation/): Michael Eisner, Disney’s former CEO who ran the company for 21 years and oversaw its acquisition of ABC in 1995, does not think his successor, Bob Iger, made the right decision in moving to put Jimmy Kimmel Live! on indefinite pause following threats from Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr. In a post to X about the Kimmel situation, Eisner – who once opted to suppress the theatrical release of Martin Scorsese’s Kundun in response to pressure from the Chinese government – wrote, “Where has all the leadership gone?” Michael Eisner, who served as CEO of Disney for 21 years and […] - [Move Aside, Chatbots: AI Humanoids Are Here](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/move-aside-chatbots-ai-humanoids-are-here/): Today on Uncanny Valley, we talk about why the AI industry is investing in the development of humanoid robots, and what that means for us non-robots. - [Jensen Huang Wants You to Know He’s Getting a Lot Out of the ‘Fantastic’ Nvidia-Intel Deal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/jensen-huang-wants-you-to-know-hes-getting-a-lot-out-of-the-fantastic-nvidia-intel-deal/): Nvidia is investing $5 billion in Intel. The news comes after the US government took a roughly 10 percent equity stake in the struggling chipmaker. - [China Turns Legacy Chips Into a Trade Weapon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/china-turns-legacy-chips-into-a-trade-weapon/): As Washington pushes for a TikTok deal, Beijing is countering with probes into American chipmakers. - [Intel says Arc GPUs will live on after Nvidia deal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/intel-says-arc-gpus-will-live-on-after-nvidia-deal/): In the future, Intel will make CPUs with Nvidia graphics inside — among other things, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed today that Nvidia will contribute “GPU chiplets” that Intel can place alongside its x86 CPU cores instead of the Arc integrated graphics it develops in-house today. But, at least for now, Intel says that doesn’t mean Intel’s own graphics are going away. “We’re not discussing specific roadmaps at this time, but the collaboration is complementary to Intel’s roadmap and Intel will continue to have GPU product offerings,” Intel told PCWorld, reiterating the commitment that Intel’s Michelle Johnston Holthaus made before […] - [How to find the best deals during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-find-the-best-deals-during-amazons-october-prime-day-sale/): Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and it’s returning October 7th and 8th. The two-day shopping affair will grant Prime members access to some of the best prices of the year on Amazon devices, as well as products from Sony, Sonos, Microsoft, Apple, Withings, and other well-known brands. This applies to items spanning a range of categories, including gaming peripherals, laptops, 4K TVs, phones, PC accessories, and more. Use a price-tracking tool or deal aggregator Set up deal alert notifications through Alexa or the Amazon app Look for deals outside of […] - [Nothing’s charging case Super Mic is a small upgrade to earbud audio](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothings-charging-case-super-mic-is-a-small-upgrade-to-earbud-audio/): TALK. The microphones in your earbuds probably suck. You know, I know it, and apparently Nothing knows it too. Its fix? Better microphones – but in the charging case, not the buds. The Ear 3 buds feature what the company calls “Super Mic.” What that really means is a pair of microphones built into the earbuds’ case, with a button to activate those mics instead of the ones built into the buds. Nothing’s pitch is that the beamforming microphones in the case can deliver clearer audio and better noise cancelling, which probably mostly comes down to the fact that you […] - [Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Is Bananas for Google Gemini’s AI Image Generator](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-is-bananas-for-google-geminis-ai-image-generator/): The Nvidia CEO reveals his consuming love for Google’s image generator, the artsy side of Grok, and what exactly he uses Perplexity, Gemini, and ChatGPT for right now. - [Meta Connect 2025: the 6 biggest announcements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-connect-2025-the-6-biggest-announcements/): Meta just showed off all the latest in wearable technology, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more at its annual Connect keynote. In addition to the long-awaited reveal of Meta’s updated Ray-Ban smart glasses, the company had some other exciting surprises to share, too. Here’s a roundup of all the new tech and software updates announced by Meta. Meta’s display-equipped smart specs make their debut Rumors have swirled for months about Meta launching a pair of smart glasses with a display, and now they’re finally here. The glasses, dubbed the Meta Ray-Ban Display, feature a full-color, high-res screen in the right […] - [Meta’s Ray-Ban Gen 2 and Oakley Vanguard glasses are available to preorder](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-ray-ban-gen-2-and-oakley-vanguard-glasses-are-available-to-preorder/): At its Connect keynote on Wednesday, Meta officially introduced the $799.99 Meta Ray-Ban Display, also known as Hypernova. The brand’s new, high-end smart glasses feature an in-lens display you can control with wrist-based gestures via the new Meta Neural Band that’s included. The display pairs with your phone and allows you to see everything from text messages and Instagram Reels to maps and more – all without having to pull out your device. They seem like a more fully-realized version of Google Glass, and they’ll be released on September 30th. That’s also when in-store demos will be available at Best […] - [Meta is bringing an all-in-one movie and TV streaming hub to Quest headsets](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-is-bringing-an-all-in-one-movie-and-tv-streaming-hub-to-quest-headsets/): Horizon TV puts your streaming apps in one spot. | Image: Meta Meta is making it easier to stream movies and TV shows on your Quest headset. During its Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday, the company announced that it’s rolling out a Horizon TV hub with access to streaming apps like Prime Video, Peacock, Twitch, and — finally — Disney Plus with Hulu and ESPN. The image shared by Meta shows content recommendations and streaming apps lined up on the homepage, along with tabs to switch between movies, TV shows, “immersive” experiences, sports, music, and your watchlist. It’s unclear whether […] - [US Tech Giants Race to Spend Billions in UK AI Push](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/us-tech-giants-race-to-spend-billions-in-uk-ai-push/): Microsoft and Nvidia unveiled plans to invest up to $45 billion in the UK during US President Donald Trump’s state visit. - [OpenAI's Teen Safety Features Will Walk a Thin Line](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-teen-safety-features-will-walk-a-thin-line/): CEO Sam Altman announced an age-prediction system and new parental controls in a blog post on Tuesday. - [Matthew Prince Wants AI Companies to Pay for Their Sins](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/matthew-prince-wants-ai-companies-to-pay-for-their-sins/): The Cloudflare CEO joined The Big Interview to talk about standing up to content scraping, the internet’s potential futures, and his company’s relationship to Trump. - [Can Luigi Mangione get too big to jail?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/can-luigi-mangione-get-too-big-to-jail/): The first people in line on Tuesday, I was told, started camping out on the sidewalk two days ago. Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, was due in court at 9AM ET for a hearing in one of three concurrent criminal cases against him. And this time everyone was prepared for the mayhem: the signs, the fans, the livestreamers, the protests, the media circus. That’s why the line started even earlier than last time – the people who really wanted to get in to see him knew that no time was […] - [Sam Altman says ChatGPT will stop talking about suicide with teens](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-chatgpt-will-stop-talking-about-suicide-with-teens/): On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that the company was attempting to balance privacy, freedom, and teen safety – principles that, he admitted, were in conflict. His blog post came hours before a Senate hearing focused on examining the harm of AI chatbots, held by the subcommittee on crime and counterterrorism and featuring some parents of children who died by suicide after talking to chatbots. “We have to separate users who are under 18 from those who aren’t,” Altman wrote in the post, adding that the company is in the process of building an “age-prediction system to estimate age […] - [Charlie Kirk’s death got complicated by gamer brainrot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/charlie-kirks-death-got-complicated-by-gamer-brainrot/): Editor’s note: This issue of Regulator was sent to subscribers prior to the release of the indictment against Tyler Robinson. Though we have more hints about Robinson’s motives, what follows is still accurate about the videogame-referencing memes being a red herring. Hello and welcome to Regulator. For a moment, the fatal shooting of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk last week pushed an already divided nation to its brink. Members of Congress screamed at each other on the House floor: Democrats blamed Republicans for fostering gun culture and mass shootings, while Republicans blamed Democrats for branding them “Nazis” and … […] - [How AI Is Upending Politics, Tech, the Media, and More](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-ai-is-upending-politics-tech-the-media-and-more/): At WIRED’s AI Power Summit on Monday, industry executives and officials discussed the impact artificial intelligence is having on every corner of society—and where it goes from here. - [Hundreds of Google AI Workers Were Fired Amid Fight Over Working Conditions](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hundreds-of-google-ai-workers-were-fired-amid-fight-over-working-conditions/): Over 200 contractors who work on improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, sources say. It’s the latest development in a conflict over pay and alleged poor working conditions. - [USA Today Enters Its Gen AI Era With a Chatbot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/usa-today-enters-its-gen-ai-era-with-a-chatbot/): DeeperDive, a new tool that converses with readers, is an effort to beat the AI industry at its own game. - [What’s next for Apple after the iPhone 17?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/whats-next-for-apple-after-the-iphone-17/): We only just put Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event behind us, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is already glancing into his crystal ball to see what’s next for the company. In today’s Power On newsletter Gurman says that there are at least 10 more products from Apple that are expected to launch either later this year or in the first half of 2026. Some of those products have been rumored for some time, or are just kind of obvious upgrades. The M5 iPad Pro, for instance, is a matter of when not if. Though the rumors that it will have a […] - [Rolling Stone’s parent company sues Google over AI Overviews](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rolling-stones-parent-company-sues-google-over-ai-overviews/): Disclosure: Penske Media Corporation is an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company. Penske Media Corporation, the publisher of Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter, has become the first major American media company to sue Google over its AI summaries. The company claims that the AI Overviews that often appear at the top of search results leave users with little reason to click through to the source, hurting traffic and illegally benefitting from the work of its reporters.  While Penske Media is the biggest name to take on Google over its AI Overviews, it’s not the first. Online education […] - [The Helldivers community is coping with a spotlight it doesn’t want](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-helldivers-community-is-coping-with-a-spotlight-it-doesnt-want/): “Yesterday was an interesting day for the Helldivers community.” That’s the very obvious understatement that announced the reopening of the Helldivers gaming subreddit in the small hours of Saturday morning. On Friday it was discovered that Tyler Robinson, arrested for the alleged killing of Charlie Kirk, had inscribed messages on the casings of several bullets found at the crime scene. One of those read “Hey fascist! Catch!” accompanied by an up arrow symbol, a right arrow, and three down arrows, a reference to the code to call down the 500KG Bomb stratagem in the cooperative shooter Helldivers 2. Unsurprisingly, within […] - [Liam Hemsworth is Geralt in the first Witcher season 4 trailer](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/liam-hemsworth-is-geralt-in-the-first-witcher-season-4-trailer/): It’s been a few years since Netflix confirmed that Liam Hemsworth would be taking over as Geralt of Rivia in the live-action Witcher series. And while we caught a brief glimpse of him in action last year, the first proper clip from season 4 of the show reveals just how Hemsworth will be inhabiting the role — including his take on Geralt’s signature growling voice. In addition to giving us a better look at Geralt, Netflix also confirmed that The Witcher’s newest season is coming out pretty soon: it will start streaming on October 30th. The show’s end is in […] - [Time is running out to get half off a year of Paramount Plus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/time-is-running-out-to-get-half-off-a-year-of-paramount-plus/): It’s September, and many among us are dealing with back to school, and anticipating the colder weather that’s on its way (at least, if you live in the northern climes). This, plus a somewhat fraught political atmosphere, means that you might be looking for reliable, affordable ways to escape the doldrums. You don’t need us to tell you that a way to do that is by watching some movies and TV shows. Through September 18th, Paramount is offering a doozy of a deal on both tiers of its Plus streaming service. You can save 50 percent on an annual subscription […] - [Spotify Lossless is an inconvenient improvement](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/spotify-lossless-is-an-inconvenient-improvement/): If you listen to music the way a lot of people do these days – with a pair of wireless earbuds, from a Bluetooth speaker, or just blaring directly out of your phone – you will never notice a difference between Spotify’s high-quality 320Kbps streams and its lossless audio. But, if you usually listen with wired headphones while working at your desk, or have a quality speaker from the likes of Bose that supports Spotify Connect, there actually is something to be gained here. Comparing Spotify’s normal quality streams (96Kbps) with the new 24-bit / 44.1kHz lossless FLAC files feels […] - [I Wasn’t Sure I Wanted Anthropic to Pay Me for My Books—I Do Now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-wasnt-sure-i-wanted-anthropic-to-pay-me-for-my-books-i-do-now/): Anthropic agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement for authors whose books were used to train its AI model. As an author who fits that description, I’ve come around to the idea. - [Tucker Carlson asks Sam Altman if an OpenAI employee was murdered ‘on your orders’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tucker-carlson-asks-sam-altman-if-an-openai-employee-was-murdered-on-your-orders/): While interviewing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this week, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson brought up his belief in a conspiracy theory that former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji was “definitely murdered.” The researcher’s death in November 2024, which was ruled a suicide by the San Francisco police, followed his release of statements online and in a New York Times article calling out OpenAI’s tech for alleged copyright violations.  In their back-and-forth about a half-hour into the chat, Carlson bluntly explains his reasons for believing the theory, and that “[Balji’s] mother claims he was murdered on your orders.” Altman brings up […] - [Elon Musk is trying to silence Microsoft employees who criticize Charlie Kirk](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musk-is-trying-to-silence-microsoft-employees-who-criticize-charlie-kirk/): Elon Musk is pressing Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to look into Blizzard employees who criticized Charlie Kirk after his death. Musk’s post quotes an X thread listing names and screenshots of the developers. “What’s going on here, @satyanadella?” Musk said. “These are Microsoft employees,” he added in another post. What’s going on here, @satyanadella? https://t.co/acO5poJMm8 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 12, 2025 Musk’s direct question to Nadella follows a broader censorship crackdown from Republicans targeting individuals celebrating Kirk’s death or criticizing him. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) said he would use “Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to […] - [The WSJ carelessly spread anti-trans misinformation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-wsj-carelessly-spread-anti-trans-misinformation/): Rupert Murdoch’s fortress. | Photo: Getty Images While I generally respect The Wall Street Journal, every once in a while it sees fit to remind me that it is, in fact, owned by Rupert Murdoch. This time, it printed something dangerously close to anti-trans blood libel in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting. In its live-update blog yesterday, the Journal wrote, “Ammunition engraved with transgender and antifascist ideology was found inside the rifle authorities believe was used in Kirk’s shooting, according to an internal law enforcement bulletin and a source familiar with the investigation.” That language was echoed in social […] - [Microsoft and OpenAI have a new deal that could clear the way for an IPO](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-openai-have-a-new-deal-that-could-clear-the-way-for-an-ipo/): Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella (L), speaks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, who joined by video during the Microsoft Build 2025, conference in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2025. As OpenAI attempts to restructure itself and eventually go public, a hurdle for the startup, recently valued at $500 billion, is its increasingly complicated partnership with Microsoft.  On Thursday afternoon, the two companies released this joint statement about an agreement they’ve reached. Microsoft & OpenAI: Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the next phase of our partnership. We are actively […] - [Microsoft is making ‘significant investments’ in training its own AI models](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-is-making-significant-investments-in-training-its-own-ai-models/): Microsoft AI launched its first in-house models last month, adding to the already complicated relationship with its OpenAI partner. Now, Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says the company is making “significant investments” in the compute capacity required to Microsoft’s own future frontier models. “We should have the capacity to build world class frontier models in house of all sizes, but we should be very pragmatic and use other models where we need to,” said Suleyman during Microsoft’s employee-only town hall on Thursday. “We’re also going to be making significant investments in our own cluster, so today MAI-1-preview was only trained […] - [Republicans pledge censorship crackdown to avenge Charlie Kirk’s death](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/republicans-pledge-censorship-crackdown-to-avenge-charlie-kirks-death/): In the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting, some political figures are threatening a crackdown on free speech – a cause Kirk claimed to fight for. Members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump have all attacked people who celebrated Kirk’s death online or criticized him while he was alive, in some cases saying they’ll use the government’s authority to punish statements almost certainly protected by the First Amendment. While it remains unclear who killed Kirk or why at a college campus in Utah Wednesday, Republican political figures all the way up to Trump have threatened […] - [Microsoft’s AI Chief Says Machine Consciousness Is an ‘Illusion’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-ai-chief-says-machine-consciousness-is-an-illusion/): Mustafa Suleyman says that designing AI systems to exceed human intelligence—and to mimic behavior that suggests consciousness—would be “dangerous and misguided.” - [Melania Trump’s AI Era Is Upon Us](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/melania-trumps-ai-era-is-upon-us/): The ever elusive first lady has emerged with a brief to exert thought leadership over AI, for the children. Some insiders are excited; others won’t touch the subject with a 10-foot pole. - [Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Turning Point USA event in Utah](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/charlie-kirk-fatally-shot-at-turning-point-usa-event-in-utah/): Charlie Kirk, the influencer and activist who co-founded right-wing group Turning Point USA, has died at the age of 31 after being shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University, according to his spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, speaking to the New York Times. Deseret News had earlier reported Kirk’s death, according to Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, and President Donald Trump said Kirk is dead in a post on Truth Social at 4:40PM ET. At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that “we have a person of interest in custody,” minutes after FBI Director […] - [How platforms are responding to the Charlie Kirk shooting](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-platforms-are-responding-to-the-charlie-kirk-shooting/): Horrifying videos of influencer and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk being fatally shot were widely available on social media platforms. We’ve reached out to some of the platforms to ask how they will be treating the videos and charged posts about the shooting. So far, we’re aware of responses from Bluesky, Meta, Reddit, and YouTube. Bluesky: “Glorifying violence or harm violates Bluesky’s Community Guidelines,” Bluesky said on its Bluesky Safety account. “We review reports and take action on content that celebrates harm against anyone. Violence has no place in healthy public discourse, and we’re committed to fostering healthy, open conversations.” Meta: […] - [OpenAI reportedly signs $300 billion Project Stargate cloud deal with Oracle](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-reportedly-signs-300-billion-project-stargate-cloud-deal-with-oracle/): OpenAI and Oracle signed a deal “to purchase $300 billion in computing power over roughly five years,” one of the largest cloud computing deals ever, reports the Wall Street Journal. In July, the two companies revealed their partnership to build data centers worth 4.5 gigawatts of power as part of the broader Stargate project they announced with Softbank and President Trump, without explaining how much OpenAI planned to pay for the datacenters. OpenAI’s contract will begin in 2027, according to the report.  OpenAI, which reportedly expects $12.7 billion in revenue this year, is also likely behind another $10 billion contract […] - [Inside the Man vs. Machine Hackathon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-man-vs-machine-hackathon/): At a weekend hackathon in San Francisco, more than 100 coders gathered to test whether they could beat AI—and win a $12,500 cash prize. - [Is AI the New Frontier of Women’s Oppression?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-ai-the-new-frontier-of-womens-oppression/): In her new book, feminist author Laura Bates explores how sexbots, AI assistants, and deepfakes are reinventing misogyny and harming women. - [The United Arab Emirates Releases a Tiny But Powerful AI Model](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-united-arab-emirates-releases-a-tiny-but-powerful-ai-model/): K2 Think compares well with reasoning models from OpenAI and DeepSeek but is smaller and more efficient, say researchers based in Abu Dhabi. - [Apple says the iPhone 17 comes with a massive security upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-says-the-iphone-17-comes-with-a-massive-security-upgrade/): It’s less noticeable than a thinner profile or trick camera lenses, but Apple is pointing out another upgrade in the iPhone 17 family of phones that it says is part of “the most significant upgrade to memory safety in the history of consumer operating systems.” Explicitly targeting the spyware industry that produces exploits for tools like Pegasus to hack on targeted devices, a series of changes in Apple’s chips, OS, and development tools are part of what it calls Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE). With the introduction of the iPhone 17 lineup and iPhone Air, we’re excited to deliver Memory Integrity […] - [Apple is giving iPhone 14 and 15 users another free year of satellite features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-is-giving-iphone-14-and-15-users-another-free-year-of-satellite-features/): iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users are getting another year of free access to satellite connectivity features, according to a footnote on Apple’s newsroom posts for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. “The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to 12 a.m. PT on September 9, 2025,” Apple says. Apple originally launched its Emergency SOS service via satellite shortly after it released the iPhone 14 lineup, in November 2022, and at the time, Apple said the feature would be […] - [Judge puts Anthropic’s $1.5 billion book piracy settlement on hold](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/judge-puts-anthropics-1-5-billion-book-piracy-settlement-on-hold/): Anthropic’s $1.5 billion book piracy settlement has been put on pause after the federal judge overseeing the class action case raised concerns about the terms of the agreement. During a hearing this week, Judge William Alsup rejected the settlement over concerns that class action lawyers will create a deal behind closed doors that they will force “down the throats of authors,” according to reports from Bloomberg Law and the Associated Press. Anthropic agreed to pay the landmark settlement last week, putting to rest a class action lawsuit from US authors that accused the AI company of training its models on […] - [I Hate My AI Friend](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-hate-my-ai-friend/): The chatbot-enabled Friend necklace eavesdrops on your life and provides a running commentary that’s snarky and unhelpful. Worse, it can also make the people around you uneasy. - [AMD’s AI-powered FSR 4 upscaling is now available in most FSR 3.1 games](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amds-ai-powered-fsr-4-upscaling-is-now-available-in-most-fsr-3-1-games/): AMD’s FSR 4 AI upscaling and frame-generation technology can now be enabled for “most games that support FSR 3.1 with DirectX 12,” the company says in the patch notes for its newest 25.9.1 driver.  This support has been a big promise from AMD, but it’s taken awhile to come to fruition; FSR 4 first launched alongside the company’s RX 9000-series graphics cards back in March. AMD touts FSR 4, its competitor to Nvidia’s DLSS 4, as a “significant leap forward” over FSR 3. “By utilizing ML algorithms, FSR 4 can intelligently predict and compensate for lost pixels during low-resolution rendering, […] - [Nintendo Switch modder ordered to pay $2 million in piracy lawsuit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-switch-modder-ordered-to-pay-2-million-in-piracy-lawsuit/): Nintendo has notched another victory in its crusade against piracy. Last week, a Washington District Court judge ordered Ryan Daley to pay Nintendo $2 million and stop selling modded Switch consoles online, as reported earlier by Engadget. In a copyright lawsuit filed last year, Nintendo accused Daley of operating the website Modded Hardware, which sold modded Switch consoles, modchips used to hack into Switch devices, and Mig flash cartridges that allow people to play pirated copies of games. Nintendo claimed Daley caused the company “significant and irreparable harm” — and the judge agreed. “The MIG Devices, Mod Chips, Hacked Consoles, […] - [Psychological Tricks Can Get AI to Break the Rules](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/psychological-tricks-can-get-ai-to-break-the-rules/): Researchers convinced large language model chatbots to comply with “forbidden” requests using a variety of conversational tactics. - [Google finally details Gemini usage limits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-finally-details-gemini-usage-limits/): Until very recently it wasn’t clear what usage limits were placed on Gemini at the various tiers. Thankfully Google has finally updated its Help Center article detailing “Gemini Apps limits & upgrades for Google AI subscribers.” Gone are the useless descriptors like “limited access” or vague statements like “we may at times have to cap the number of prompts and conversations you can have, or how much you can use some features, within a specific timeframe.” Instead it clearly states that you get up to five prompts a day with Gemini 2.5 Pro on a free account, 100 with an […] - [GM slows EV production as tax credit nears expiration](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gm-slows-ev-production-as-tax-credit-nears-expiration/): General Motors is going to be scaling back production of the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, as well as the Chevy Bolt EV as it expects sales of electric vehicles to slow dramatically. The $7,500 consumer tax credit for purchasing a new EV is set to expire at the end of the month. That credit has been crucial to driving demand for EVs, which are still more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. The company is pausing production on the Lyriq and Vistiq at its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant in December. It’s also planning to halt manufacturing for a week in November […] - [TIFF 2025: Frankenstein, Knives Out 3, and all the biggest movies from Toronto](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tiff-2025-frankenstein-knives-out-3-and-all-the-biggest-movies-from-toronto/): The Toronto International Film Festival is almost like a preview of the movie slate for the next few months — and this year I’m watching as much as possible to give you all the scoop on what’s ahead. To do that, I’ll be writing a dispatch covering every movie I’ve seen that day, which will run daily throughout most of the festival. That includes bigger movies you probably already know about, like Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man and Frankenstein, along with hopefully some great new films you maybe weren’t aware of, like the creepy adaptation of the horror game The […] - [ICE Has Spyware Now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ice-has-spyware-now/): Plus: An AI chatbot system is linked to a widespread hack, details emerge of a US plan to plant a spy device in North Korea, your job’s security training isn’t working, and more. - [Where's the Fun in AI Gambling?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wheres-the-fun-in-ai-gambling/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we break down the role of AI in the online gambling scene. - [Pocket Scion is a synth you play with plants](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/pocket-scion-is-a-synth-you-play-with-plants/): A few years ago, artist Modern Biology became a viral sensation when he posted videos of himself controlling a modular synth with mushrooms on TikTok. Pocket Scion gives anyone similar capabilities, but without having to spend thousands of dollars on a Eurorack rig – and in a much more portable package.  A core part of Modern Biology’s setup is a module called Scion from Glasgow-based Instruo. Scion turns biofeedback, whether that’s from houseplants or your own skin, into CV (control voltage) for controlling other synth modules in a larger setup. Touching two sensors to your hand or a mushroom completes […] - [Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is as bleak as it is hilarious](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-as-bleak-as-it-is-hilarious/): No Other Choice. At my second day at TIFF 2025, the longest line I saw wasn’t for a movie: it was for the Criterion Closet. The space is housed in a van so that it could make it up to Toronto, and honestly, it felt a little wrong to see the outside of it after watching everyone from Michael Cera to Hideo Kojima spend time in its cramped interior digging through Blu-Rays. The line was long enough that I didn’t even bother trying to get inside, which is probably a good thing since I’d just be overwhelmed anyways. Besides, standing […] - [Bluetti says it can reduce vanlife power installations to ‘30 minutes’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bluetti-says-it-can-reduce-vanlife-power-installations-to-30-minutes/): The RVSolar System living its best vanlife. | Image: Bluetti It only took three years, but Bluetti is following EcoFlow’s lead with a fully integrated power system of its own to make vanlifers, off-grid cabins, and boats energy independent. The RVSolar System’s main advantage over bespoke systems is a relatively quick and easy installation, requiring just “30 minutes,” according to Bluetti’s announcement at IFA 2025.  While it’s undoubtedly faster than installing a fully bespoke solution from Victron Energy, for example, the last time I installed EcoFlow’s comparable system, it took closer to five hours — and that was after several hours […] - [Anthropic Agrees to Pay Authors at Least $1.5 Billion in AI Copyright Settlement](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-agrees-to-pay-authors-at-least-1-5-billion-in-ai-copyright-settlement/): Anthropic will pay at least $3,000 for each copyrighted work that it pirated. The company downloaded unauthorized copies of books in early efforts to gather training data for its AI tools. - [The Doomers Who Insist AI Will Kill Us All](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-doomers-who-insist-ai-will-kill-us-all/): Eliezer Yudkowsky, AI’s prince of doom, explains why computers will kill us and provides an unrealistic plan to stop it. - [The best robot vacuums we’ve tested for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-robot-vacuums-weve-tested-for-2025/): Robot vacuums are impressive devices that will clean your floors well and — thanks to bigger batteries and better robot brains — rarely get tired of doing their job. Over the last few years, they have gone from being utilitarian devices that sweep your floor to full-fledged home robots that can vacuum and mop your home and then trundle off to clean themselves to be ready for the next run. I’ve been testing robot vacuums for seven years and have run over 70 robot vacuums all over my house. These are my top picks if you’re looking for the best: […] - [Silicon Valley’s most powerful alliance just got stronger](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/silicon-valleys-most-powerful-alliance-just-got-stronger/): Eddy Cue deserves a raise. As the executive overseeing Apple’s services division, he’s highly incentivized to protect the tens of billions of dollars a year that Google pays to be the default search engine in Safari. “I’ve lost a lot of sleep thinking about it,” he said from the witness stand during Google’s antitrust trial earlier this year. Luckily for Cue, his court testimony appears to have had a significant impact on Judge Amit Mehta, who ruled this week that Google’s default payments to Apple and others can continue. You can see Cue’s arguments at trial mirrored in Mehta’s ruling: […] - [Classic Sesame Street episodes are coming to YouTube](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/classic-sesame-street-episodes-are-coming-to-youtube/): YouTube is getting “hundreds” of full classic Sesame Street episodes beginning in January 2026. Once the episodes are available, “YouTube will have the largest digital library of Sesame Street content,” Sesame Workshop says. YouTube is already has a wealth of popular content focused toward kids, including big channels like Cocomelon (which is getting a theatrical film in 2027) and Ms. Rachel (who also has a deal with Netflix). The addition of the classic Sesame Street episodes could give parents another educational option if their kids want to watch something on the platform. Speaking of Netflix, new episodes of Sesame Street […] - [Should AI Get Legal Rights?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/should-ai-get-legal-rights/): Model welfare is an emerging field of research that seeks to determine whether AI is conscious and, if so, how humanity should respond. - [The best iPad deals you can get right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-ipad-deals-you-can-get-right-now/): You can currently save up to $200 on Apple’s M4-equipped iPad Pro. | Photo: Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge While the best iPad deals usually land during major sale events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, many great iPad deals are available outside of those times. The day-to-day discounts come and go like changing winds, so there’s often some amount to be saved, particularly on Apple’s most affordable iPad. The most recent iPad Pro and iPad Mini are also regularly discounted, as is the latest iPad Air. The best iPad (2025) deals The best iPad Mini (2024) deals The best iPad […] - [Warner Bros. Discovery sues Midjourney for generating ‘countless’ copies of its characters](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/warner-bros-discovery-sues-midjourney-for-generating-countless-copies-of-its-characters/): Midjourney allegedly generated these images of Batman and the Joker. | Image: Warner Bros. Discovery via Midjourney Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Midjourney over claims the AI startup “brazenly dispenses its intellectual property as if it were its own,” as reported earlier by The Hollywood Reporter. In the lawsuit, Warner Bros. Discovery alleges that Midjourney generated “countless” infringing images and videos of its copyrighted characters, including Superman, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and more. Warner Bros. Discovery accuses Midjourney of reproducing, displaying, and distributing “unauthorized derivatives” of its intellectual property through its AI image and video generation tools. Throughout the lawsuit, Warner […] - [Tech companies pledge to ready Americans for an AI-dominated world](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tech-companies-pledge-to-ready-americans-for-an-ai-dominated-world/): Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are among the companies committing to help prepare Americans for a world dominated by AI technology at a White House event on AI education Thursday. First Lady Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House’s AI education task force where several CEOs touted their commitments. President Donald Trump is expected to host tech CEOs in the Rose Garden later on Thursday, with an invite list that includes Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, The Hill reported. Google said it would allocate $150 million of the $1 billion it already pledged toward […] - [This Robot Only Needs a Single AI Model to Master Humanlike Movements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-robot-only-needs-a-single-ai-model-to-master-humanlike-movements/): Atlas, Boston Dynamics’ dancing humanoid, can now use a single model for walking and grasping—a significant step toward general-purpose robot algorithms. - [Spiritual Influencers Say ‘Sentient’ AI Can Help You Solve Life’s Mysteries](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/spiritual-influencers-say-sentient-ai-can-help-you-solve-lifes-mysteries/): As concerns grow about AI chatbots leading users into delusional spirals, prominent spiritual influencers are capitalizing on an emerging form of techno-spirituality. - [Meet the Guys Betting Big on AI Gambling Agents](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meet-the-guys-betting-big-on-ai-gambling-agents/): Online gambling is a massive industry. The AI boom keeps booming. It was only a matter of time before people tried to put them together. - [Disney will pay $10 million to settle FTC claim it used cartoons to collect YouTube data on kids](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/disney-will-pay-10-million-to-settle-ftc-claim-it-used-cartoons-to-collect-youtube-data-on-kids/): Disney has agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations from the Federal Trade Commission that it violated federal law by misleadingly labeling cartoons on YouTube so it could illegally collect children’s personal data. The FTC alleges that Disney failed to label some videos of its popular kids cartoons it uploaded to YouTube as “Made for Kids” — a designation that makes such videos ineligible for certain features, like the collection of personal information. It’s a way YouTube makes it harder to target kids with personalized ads. But rather than mark individual videos as either “Made for Kids” or “Not […] - [Google critics think the search remedies ruling is a total whiff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-critics-think-the-search-remedies-ruling-is-a-total-whiff/): The remedies ruling in the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against Google finally landed on Tuesday. Last year, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google was a monopolist in the search and advertising markets, but while today’s ruling says that Google will have to share some search data with competitors, Google doesn’t have to spin off Chrome and it can keep paying for deals like the one that lets it be the default search in Safari. Many Google critics aren’t happy with the remedies that have been handed down, saying that they don’t go far enough to slow Google’s dominance and […] - [Ousted Democratic FTC commissioner can return (again) for now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ousted-democratic-ftc-commissioner-can-return-again-for-now/): Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the Democratic Federal Trade Commissioner fired by President Donald Trump without cause, can at least temporarily return to work while her legal case plays out. This happened once before when Slaughter briefly returned to her office months after Trump claimed to fire her, when US District Court Judge Loren AliKhan found her dismissal unlawful. Trump broke with decades of Supreme Court precedent known as Humphrey’s Executor, preventing presidents from firing independent commissioners without cause. But her return was short-lived — a few days later the appeals court temporarily paused the order reinstating Slaughter. This latest order, approved 2-1 […] - [Latam-GPT: The Free, Open Source, and Collaborative AI of Latin America](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/latam-gpt-the-free-open-source-and-collaborative-ai-of-latin-america/): WIRED talks to the director of the Chilean National Center for Artificial Intelligence about Latam-GPT, the large-language model that aims to address the region’s specific needs and change the current technological dynamic. - [WIRED Roundup: Meta’s AI Brain Drain](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-metas-ai-brain-drain/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we look back at the week’s biggest stories—from the researchers leaving Meta’s new superintelligence lab, to the dark money group funding Democratic influencers. - [The best Labor Day TV sales](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-labor-day-tv-sales/): Yes, even this 98-inch mode is discounted. | Image: TCL Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, which is a bit sad, but it’s a great time to get a deal on a fancy, new TV. The US holiday is happening just before the start of the 2025-2026 NFL season, the World Cup qualifiers, and the lead-up to the MLB post-season games. This sports trifecta means you can take advantage of Labor Day sales on 4K TVs, whether you’re planning on hosting big at-home viewing parties, or you just want to tune in alone. Right now, you can […] - [The 28 best Labor Day deals you still can grab for $100 or less](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-28-best-labor-day-deals-you-still-can-grab-for-100-or-less/): Labor Day has finally arrived, and after a week of early discounts trickling in, the sales are now in full swing. We’ve put together an expansive guide detailing nearly 100 deals we think are worth the money — including everything from big-screen OLED TVs to back-to-school essentials like the latest MacBook Air — but we also recognize that spending a couple a hundred dollars on a new gadget isn’t always feasible in these inflationary, tariff-riddled times. Fortunately for those on a budget, there are plenty of worthwhile deals to be had for $100 or less. To make sifting through them […] - [The 95 best Labor Day sales happening now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-95-best-labor-day-sales-happening-now/): Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and while the prospect of cooler weather and shorter days can be a tough adjustment for some, at least there is always a great selection of deals to combat the post-summer blues. Lucky for you, we’ve gone ahead and rounded up the best discounts you can get on a variety of Verge-approved gadgets and goods, from earbuds and 4K TVs to the latest e-readers. Being that it’s now September, it’s also a good reminder that the holidays will be here before you know it. Thankfully, some gadgets — including the latest Kindle […] - [Chatbots can be manipulated through flattery and peer pressure](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatbots-can-be-manipulated-through-flattery-and-peer-pressure/): Generally, AI chatbots are not supposed to do things like call you names or tell you how to make controlled substances. But, just like a person, with the right psychological tactics, it seems like at least some LLMs can be convinced to break their own rules. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania deployed tactics described by psychology professor Robert Cialdini in Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion to convince OpenAI’s GPT-4o Mini to complete requests it would normally refuse. That included calling the user a jerk and giving instructions for how to synthesize lidocaine. The study focused on seven different techniques […] - [The Verge’s favorite gifts for book lovers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-verges-favorite-gifts-for-book-lovers/): What do you gift somebody who loves books? The obvious answer is “a book,” but since true bibliophiles are probably sitting on a stack already, it’s worth getting a little more creative. Luckily for you, many of us at The Verge are big bookworms ourselves, which is why we rounded up a bunch of clever, useful gifts our staff can vouch for. Below, you’ll find a handful of thoughtful presents fit for any literature-crazed loved one, including personalized book embossers, adjustable bookends, and tote bags. And because we’re also gadget nerds, we’ve sprinkled in plenty of tech, from color ebook […] - [Meta is struggling to rein in its AI chatbots](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-is-struggling-to-rein-in-its-ai-chatbots/): Meta is changing some of the rules governing its chatbots two weeks after a Reuters investigation revealed disturbing ways in which they could, potentially, interact with minors. Now the company has told TechCrunch that its chatbots are being trained not to engage in conversations with minors around self-harm, suicide, or disordered eating, and to avoid inappropriate romantic banter. These changes are interim measures, however, put in place while the company works on new permanent guidelines.  The updates follow some rather damning revelations about Meta’s AI policies and enforcement over the last several weeks, including that it would be permitted to […] - [Verizon’s ‘software issue’ has disconnected many wireless customers across the US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/verizons-software-issue-has-disconnected-many-wireless-customers-across-the-us/): Verizon has confirmed to customers in stores and online that its network is having an issue on Saturday. Many people have been unable to connect and make or receive calls for hours, while DownDetector’s tracker peaked in the afternoon at around 3:30PM ET with more than 20,000 reports. Some customers report their service has continued to function throughout the day, so it’s unclear what the cause is exactly. Downdetector’s outage map showed hotspots in many cities, and Verizon didn’t specifically list affected areas. On X, the @VerizonSupport account confirmed the issue in response to customers’ questions, but didn’t have additional […] - [No, a Windows update probably didn’t brick your SSD](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/no-a-windows-update-probably-didnt-brick-your-ssd/): For the last week or two, reports have been circulating that recent Windows 11 updates (specifically KB5063878 and KB5062660) were causing some SSDs using Phison controllers to fail. Tech influencers on YouTube and TikTok were quick to jump on the reports of corrupted data and disappearing drives, laying the blame squarely at Microsoft’s feet. We’re not saying any company is above lying to the public, and Microsoft has a history of rocky update rollouts, but both Microsoft and Phison claim they’ve been unable to recreate the issue. Phison said it was made aware of reports that the Windows update was […] - [The 20 best Labor Day deals you can grab for $100 or less](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-20-best-labor-day-deals-you-can-grab-for-100-or-less/): Labor Day weekend has finally arrived, and after a week of early discounts trickling in, the sales are now in full swing. From big-screen OLED TVs and outdoor gear to back-to-school essentials like the latest MacBook Air, we rounded up a guide of almost 100 deals we think are worth your time and money. But we get it. In times of tariffs and inflation, spending a couple a hundred dollars on a new gadget isn’t always feasible, and many of the sales we wrote about in our larger Labor Day deals roundup may not feel accessible. Luckily, some of the […] - [The White House Apparently Ordered Federal Workers to Roll Out Grok ‘ASAP’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-house-apparently-ordered-federal-workers-to-roll-out-grok-asap/): A partnership between xAI and the US government fell apart earlier this summer. Then the White House apparently got involved, per documents obtained by WIRED. - [Showrunner wants to turn you into a happy little content prompter for the ‘Netflix of AI’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/showrunner-wants-to-turn-you-into-a-happy-little-content-prompter-for-the-netflix-of-ai/): As one of the cofounders behind Oculus Story Studio, Edward Saatchi knows how hard it can be to sell people on new tech that bills itself as revolutionary. Even though Story Studio snagged an Emmy for one of its three animated features, a general lack of public interest in VR movies led Meta to shutter Oculus Story Studio back in 2017. The VR era has come and gone, but Saatchi is confident that Showrunner, his new pivot to generative AI that just received an influx of cash from Amazon, can succeed. Unlike a lot of other gen AI-centric entertainment outfits […] - [TikTok is now letting everyone DM each other with voice memos and pictures](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tiktok-is-now-letting-everyone-dm-each-other-with-voice-memos-and-pictures/): Every platform wants to be the place you hang with friends — even Spotify as of this week — so it’s apparently time for TikTok to shore up its direct messaging feature! It told TechCrunch that over the next few weeks, all users should see voice messages and image sharing options arrive in their DMs. (They won’t show up for accounts that can’t DM to begin with, of course — “Direct Messaging is only available to accounts 16 years and older which means these features are only available to those accounts,” TikTok spokesperson JaShel Jones clarifies to The Verge.) I […] - [Microsoft’s next annual update for Windows 11 is in Release Preview testing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-next-annual-update-for-windows-11-is-in-release-preview-testing/): The schedule of annual updates for Windows 11 that arrive in the second half of the year will hold steady for 2025, and today, Microsoft announced that the 25H2 package is available now for testing in the Release Preview Channel. So, will you see new UI features or more AI tweaks included on your desktop with this update? Microsoft didn’t mention many specific features or changes in the update, other than confirming it shares the same new features and enhancements as the previous version, 24H2, which flips on new features throughout the year, along with some notes for IT: Windows […] - [Watch Our Livestream Replay: Back to School in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/watch-our-livestream-replay-back-to-school-in-the-age-of-ai/): We explored our latest investigations into how tech is shaping education today. - [Microsoft fires two more employees for participating in Palestine protests on campus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-fires-two-more-employees-for-participating-in-palestine-protests-on-campus/): Microsoft has fired two more employees who participated in recent protests against the company’s contracts with the Israeli military and government. The two employees, Nisreen Jaradat and Julius Shan, were fired “in connection” with demonstrations that saw protesters set up encampments at Microsoft’s headquarters, according to Hossam Nasr, an organizer with the No Azure for Apartheid group. Two other Microsoft employees were fired last night for their involvement with a protest that saw members of the group gain access to a company building and live stream themselves inside the office of Microsoft president Brad Smith. Jaradat had previously sent a […] - [Microsoft AI launches its first in-house models](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-ai-launches-its-first-in-house-models/): Microsoft’s AI division announced its first homegrown AI models on Thursday: MAI-Voice-1 AI and MAI-1-preview. The company says its new MAI-Voice-1 speech model can generate a minute’s worth of audio in under one second on just one GPU, while MAI-1-preview “offers a glimpse of future offerings inside Copilot.” Microsoft already uses MA1-Voice-1 to power a couple of its features, including Copilot Daily, which has an AI host recite the day’s top news stories, and to generate podcast-style discussions to help explain topics.  You can try MA1-Voice-1 out for yourself on Copilot Labs, where you can enter what you want the […] - [Google’s Pixel Care Plus includes free screen and battery repair](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-pixel-care-plus-includes-free-screen-and-battery-repair/): Google is phasing out its Preferred Care extended warranty plan for the Pixel Care Plus program. Pricing between the two is pretty similar. You’ll still pay $8 per-month, or $159 for a two-year plan on a Pixel 9. For a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, that jumps up to $339 for two years, or $18 per-month, with the optional loss and theft package for a small extra charge.   The big changes here are that screen and battery repairs are free, and service fees for other accidental damage are much lower. Under the old Preferred Care program, replacing a cracked screen would […] - [The Era of AI-Generated Ransomware Has Arrived](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-era-of-ai-generated-ransomware-has-arrived/): Cybercriminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to fuel their attacks, with new research finding instances of AI being used to develop ransomware. - [Microsoft fires two employee protesters who occupied its president’s office](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-fires-two-employee-protesters-who-occupied-its-presidents-office/): Microsoft has fired two employees that were involved in a sit-in protest in vice chair and president Brad Smith’s office. Software engineers Riki Fameli and Anna Hattle were both dismissed today, after being part of a group of seven protesters that managed to get inside Smith’s office in Building 34 yesterday. Microsoft was forced to temporarily lock down its executive building. The protesters live streamed themselves on Twitch entering Smith’s office, and demanded that the company cut ties with the Israeli government. Microsoft employees Anna Hattle and Riki Fameli were both arrested during the incident, alongside former Microsoft employees Vaniya Agrawal, Hossam Nasr, and Joe […] - [Elon Musk’s AI bot adds a ridiculous anime companion with ‘NSFW’ mode](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-ai-bot-adds-a-ridiculous-anime-companion-with-nsfw-mode/): Ani, one of Grok’s AI companions. People who pay for access to SuperGrok can now try the AI chatbot’s new “Companions” avatars, xAI owner Elon Musk announced Monday morning. The companions available currently include Ani, an anime avatar, and Rudy, a cartoony red panda. Ani also has what TestingCatalog describes as an “NSFW” mode where the character wears lingerie. (And just a warning: if you search for posts about the characters on X, you’ll probably come across NSFW videos.) View Link Right now, users have to go into settings to turn on the companions, but “we will make this easier […] - [Bose is offering an extra 25% off refurbished headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bose-is-offering-an-extra-25-off-refurbished-headphones-earbuds-and-portable-speakers/): Some of Bose’s best headphones, earbuds, and speakers were nicely discounted for Prime Day, but just because the event has ended doesn’t mean the deals are over. Bose is currently offering discounts on a range of refurbished products, plus an extra 25 percent off on top of that with code SUMMER25. For example, Verge-favorite QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are down to $284.25 ($165 off) at Bose, the lowest price we’ve seen yet. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are also down to $186.75 ($113 off) at Bose, another all-time low (and another Verge favorite). Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (refurbished) Bose’s latest flagship headphones […] - [Foldables are in and suddenly really thin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/foldables-are-in-and-suddenly-really-thin/): Hi! Welcome to Installer No. 89, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. My name is Jay Peters, and I will be taking care of Installer while David is on parental leave. All of us here at The Verge are very excited for him and his family, and he’ll be back later this year. It’s a huge honor to be writing this. I look forward to Installer every week to see what awesome things David is obsessed with and what you all are into. (Thanks to everyone who sent over their favorite non-famous apps to get […] - [Why GM’s CEO is still betting on electric vehicles (and racing)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-gms-ceo-is-still-betting-on-electric-vehicles-and-racing/): GM was the first major US automaker to make the promise to go all-electric by 2035, just four years ago. Those promises have since turned into rough estimates under the second Donald Trump presidency, with the company softening language about its electrification goals. But GM is riding high on EV sales, and as CEO Mary Barra puts it, EVs are still the future – just on a delayed (and very flexible) timeline. “We still believe in an all-electric future,” Barra told The Verge in an exclusive interview at the Le Mans race in France. “The regulations were getting in front […] - [xAI explains the Grok Nazi meltdown as Tesla puts Elon’s bot in its cars](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-explains-the-grok-nazi-meltdown-as-tesla-puts-elons-bot-in-its-cars/): Several days after temporarily shutting down the Grok AI bot that was producing antisemitic posts and praising Hitler in response to user prompts, Elon Musk’s AI company tried to explain why that happened. In a series of posts on X, it said that “…we discovered the root cause was an update to a code path upstream of the @grok bot. This is independent of the underlying language model that powers @grok.” On the same day, Tesla announced a new 2025.26 update rolling out “shortly” to its electric cars, which adds the Grok assistant to vehicles equipped with AMD-powered infotainment systems, […] - [24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/24-hours-with-alexa-plus-we-cooked-we-chatted-and-it-kinda-lied-to-me/): There’s a new AI in the house. I’ve waited two years to try out the new Alexa, which was first announced way back in 2023, and this week I finally got access to Alexa Plus. I’ve now spent 24 hours with Amazon’s generative AI-powered voice assistant, and it’s not just an improvement on the original; it’s an entirely new assistant. Alexa Plus knows more, can do more, and is easier to interact with because it understands more. I can ramble, pause, sigh, cough, change my request mid-sentence, and it can adapt and respond appropriately. No more, “Sorry, I’m not sure […] - [Microsoft and OpenAI's AGI Fight Is Bigger Than a Contract](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-openais-agi-fight-is-bigger-than-a-contract/): A key clause in Microsoft and OpenAI’s deal embodies the raging divide between AGI true believers and those who think it’s still a long ways off. - [The 55-inch Hisense U7 is a great 4K TV under $600 for Prime Day](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-55-inch-hisense-u7-is-a-great-4k-tv-under-600-for-prime-day/): Amazon Prime Day’s best deals may not last for much longer, since the sale ends later tonight. This includes a big discount on the 2025 Hisense U7, a midrange TV that’s seeing deep discounts right now. The 65-inch model is available on Amazon for $797.99, which is almost 50 percent off its original. And the 55-inch is under $600. That’s a lot of performance for the money, and I’ll tell you why. Hisense U7QG TV Where to Buy: $899.99 $597.99 at Amazon (55-inch) $1499.99 $797.99 at Amazon (65-inch) $1999.99 $1097.99 at Amazon (75-inch) In previous years, a lower price generally […] - [How Video Games Became the New Battleground for Actors and AI Protections](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-video-games-became-the-new-battleground-for-actors-and-ai-protections/): Voice actors ended their 11-month strike against the video game industry, but their fight against AI is just beginning. - [You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-asked-we-answered-all-of-your-ai-angst/): Welcome to Uncanny Valley’s very first Q&A, where our host addresses your burning AI-related questions. - [AI Is a Lousy Chef](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-a-lousy-chef/): I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals. - [Krafton slams ex-Subnautica 2 execs — who now say they’re suing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/krafton-slams-ex-subnautica-2-execs-who-now-say-theyre-suing/): Subnautica 2 has been at the center of a contentious debate between leadership at its developer Unknown Worlds and the game’s publisher, Krafton Games. At stake is a $250 million payout, promised to Unknown Worlds if the studio hit certain revenue targets by the end of this year. But a company shakeup and the subsequent delay of Subnautica 2 has rocked the studio and potentially imperiled the promised payout, and now one of Unknown World’s fired founders says they’re suing. On July 2nd, Krafton announced that Steve Papoutsis, CEO of The Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance Studios would be taking […] - [The 40 best Prime Day deals you can get for under $25](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-40-best-prime-day-deals-you-can-get-for-under-25/): The Echo Pop is an easy way to add Alexa to any room, and it’s currently 45 percent off. | Image: Amazon The end of Amazon Prime Day is quickly approaching, meaning there isn’t much time left to save on some of the best deals we’ve seen all year. The good news? You have until 12AM ET on July 12th to pick up whatever it is you’re looking for. You can still save on several Verge favorites, too, including noise-canceling headphones, gaming laptops, and a wealth of smart home devices. And if you’re working with a tight budget, there are […] - [Here are 60 Prime Day deals you can still nab for $50 or less](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-60-prime-day-deals-you-can-still-nab-for-50-or-less/): Amazon Prime Day is an excellent time to save on a wide range of big-ticket items, including 4K TVs, laptops, and the latest pairs of noise-canceling headphones. But if you, like me, are in the market for something more budget-friendly, rest assured that there are plenty of deals to be had for $50 or less. Thankfully, we’ve sifted through hundreds of discounts to find a host of Bluetooth speakers, charging accessories, video games, smart home devices, and other gadgets that come in under that threshold. While Prime Day 2025 runs a little longer than previous installments — the event lasts […] - [AI+ Phones Launch: Ushering in India’s Era of Sovereign Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-phones-launch-ushering-in-indias-era-of-sovereign-smartphones/): Introduction The launch of the AI+ smartphones marks a significant milestone for India’s technology landscape. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, led by former Realme CEO Madhav Sheth, the AI+ lineup is being celebrated as India’s first fully “authored” smartphone series—designed, manufactured, and powered entirely within the country. With a focus on data privacy, affordability, and performance, the AI+ phones aim to provide Indian consumers with a compelling alternative to foreign-made devices. Launch Event Highlights The event underscored India’s ambition to foster a digital ecosystem where users have genuine control over their data and device experience. AI+ Smartphone Models 1. AI+ Pulse […] - [McDonald’s AI Hiring Bot Exposed Millions of Applicants' Data to Hackers Using the Password ‘123456’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mcdonalds-ai-hiring-bot-exposed-millions-of-applicants-data-to-hackers-using-the-password-123456/): Basic security flaws left the personal info of tens of millions of McDonald’s job-seekers vulnerable on the “McHire” site built by AI software firm Paradox.ai. - [A New Kind of AI Model Lets Data Owners Take Control](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-new-kind-of-ai-model-lets-data-owners-take-control/): A novel approach from the Allen Institute for AI enables data to be removed from an artificial intelligence model even after it has already been used for training. - [The best Prime Day deals on charging accessories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-prime-day-deals-on-charging-accessories/): Anker’s 8-in-1 charging station features a wireless pad on the front and seven ports on the back. Between our rotation of everyday devices, keeping them all charged can feel like a constant juggling act. Thanks to Prime Day, though, finding deals on the right charging accessories can help tame the chaos. A great GaN wall charger, for example, can power multiple devices simultaneously while reducing desk clutter. And a versatile power bank ensures you can quickly recharge your phone or laptop anywhere. Below, you’ll find a selection of power banks, wall warts, and charging stations at up to 55 percent […] - [The best Fitbits for your fitness and health](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-fitbits-for-your-fitness-and-health/): Fitbit makes an array of fitness trackers, from basic fitness bands to full-fledged smartwatches, though the best Fitbit smartwatch isn’t technically a Fitbit. | Photo illustration by William Joel / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. In 2025, you might wonder if Fitbit is still relevant. Despite getting acquired by Google, Fitbit remains one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Fitbit trackers aren’t meant for the most hardcore of athletes, […] - [Apple just added more frost to its Liquid Glass design](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-just-added-more-frost-to-its-liquid-glass-design/): Apple’s original Liquid Glass design was very transparent. Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language just got a little more… frosted. In the third iOS 26 developer beta, Apple dialed back the transparency of navigation bars, buttons, and tabs that once allowed you to clearly see the content beneath them. Apple already toned down the glassiness of Liquid Glass after many users complained that it was too transparent and made it more difficult to see certain options, like the icons inside the Control Center. This most recent beta makes Liquid Glass elements even more solid, likely as a way to improve […] - [xAI updated Grok to be more ‘politically incorrect’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-updated-grok-to-be-more-politically-incorrect/): Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, was updated over the weekend with instructions to “assume subjective viewpoints sourced from the media are biased” and “not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect” – part of Musk’s ongoing attempt to shape the bot’s point of view. Musk announced on Friday that xAI had improved Grok “significantly,” saying an upgrade would come “in a few days.” On Sunday evening at 7:01pm ET, xAI added new lines to Grok’s publicly posted system prompts, which direct the chatbot’s responses. (It’s possible, of course, that other non-public changes were made to […] - [NxtQuantum OS: India’s Home-Grown AI+ Smartphone Operating System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nxtquantum-os-indias-home-grown-ai-smartphone-operating-system/): Introduction NxtQuantum OS marks a significant milestone in India’s digital journey—a fully indigenous mobile operating system designed for the next generation of AI+ smartphones. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, this operating system is built from the ground up in India, with a core focus on data sovereignty, privacy, and user empowerment. It is set to debut on the AI+ Nova 5G and Pulse smartphones, launching exclusively in India. Vision and Philosophy At its heart, NxtQuantum OS is more than just software—it’s a statement of intent for digital self-reliance. The platform is engineered to give Indian users, institutions, and enterprises complete […] - [TikTok’s ‘ban’ problem could end soon with a new app and a sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tiktoks-ban-problem-could-end-soon-with-a-new-app-and-a-sale/): Even with the TikTok divest-or-ban law officially in effect since January, the app has only shut down service in the US for one day. Now, The Information reports that an agreement for a sale satisfying the law’s requirements is close and would come with a new, separate version of the app. Any deal, however, would need approval from the Chinese government, which is also still wrangling with the Trump administration over tariffs. The outlet reports that the Trump administration says it’s close to working out a sale to a group of “non-Chinese” investors, including Oracle, with current majority owner ByteDance […] - [Here are 33 of our favorite deals from Amazon’s early Prime Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-33-of-our-favorite-deals-from-amazons-early-prime-day-sale/): Amazon’s next Prime Day event hasn’t officially kicked off yet, but as usual, the retailer has already dropped a selection of early deals ahead of the four-day shopping event. While steeper discounts are surely to arrive when things kick off on July 8th, many of the current offers are already worth considering, especially if you’re a Prime member looking to score a deal on one of Amazon’s own devices or services. Most of these offers are exclusive to Prime members; however, some retailers are price-matching Amazon’s deals, meaning non-members can still take advantage of some of the same savings. From […] - [How to watch Summer Games Done Quick 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-watch-summer-games-done-quick-2025/): Grab your grill, your hot dogs, and your sparklers because it’s time to celebrate… Summer Games Done Quick 2025. The annual speedrunning charity marathon benefitting Doctors without Borders is back starting July 6th and finishes July 12th. Here’s how and most importantly what to watch as you enjoy the reason for the speedrunning season. Summer Games Done Quick 2025 starts on Sunday July 6th at 1:30 PM ET on Twitch. Games Done Quick’s YouTube channel will have VODs up typically within a few short hours after the run completes so don’t worry if you miss anything live. There’s interesting runs […] - [Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier-2/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a raw, realistic take on the most dangerous city of the dark future. On Saturday, Netflix released an official teaser trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 that mixes up clips from the first season with the message that “David’s Dead,” plus some concept art-style teases as it […] - [Samsung is about to find out if Ultra is enough](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-is-about-to-find-out-if-ultra-is-enough/): The Z Fold 6 brought us “improved flatness.” I don’t often get asked about the phones I’m testing when I’m out and about, unless it’s a folding phone. Then I usually hear some version of the same thing: “Oh, I thought about getting one of those! But then I just got a [insert slab-style phone name here].” My anecdotal data matches the actual sales figures; there are many more people curious about folding phones than there are buyers of folding phones. Samsung would very much like that to not be the case, and, by all indications, it’s about to pull […] - [Deltarune is halfway done, but it feels like a full game](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deltarune-is-halfway-done-but-it-feels-like-a-full-game/): It’s been an agonizing wait for more Deltarune. The first chapter of the episodic, parallel story to Toby Fox’s acclaimed RPG Undertale came out nearly seven years ago. But the newly released third and fourth chapters are so good that I highly recommend playing everything that’s available right now – even if there are still three more episodes to go. In Deltarune, you play as Kris, a teenager who lives in a town inhabited by friendly animals and monsters. Kris is assigned a group project with Susie, an aloof bully, and together they stumble into a place called the Dark […] - [Soham Parekh: The Indian Techie Who Shook Silicon Valley with His Moonlighting Scandal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/soham-parekh-the-indian-techie-who-shook-silicon-valley-with-his-moonlighting-scandal/): Introduction Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer, became a global talking point in July 2025 after being accused of simultaneously working for multiple US startups—many backed by Y Combinator—without disclosing his overlapping commitments. His story has ignited debates on remote work ethics, hiring practices, and the vulnerabilities of the modern tech ecosystem. Early Life and Education Parekh’s academic journey was marked by exceptional performance, which opened doors to high-profile opportunities in the US tech sector. Career Trajectory Early Career and Technical Contributions The Moonlighting Scandal How It Unfolded The Modus Operandi Public Response and Aftermath Admission and Apology Industry Impact […] - [Here are the best Apple Watch deals available right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-apple-watch-deals-available-right-now/): The Apple Watch Series 10 isn’t a vast departure from the prior model, but the iterative changes are welcome nonetheless. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. In September, Apple launched its latest smartwatch, introducing the Apple Watch Series 10 alongside a black rendition of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Each wearable has its own pros and cons, as does the second-gen Apple Watch […] - [Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a raw, realistic take on the most dangerous city of the dark future. The new season will be directed by Kai Ikarashi, who also directed episode six in the first season, “Girl on Fire.” There’s no word yet on when Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will premiere, but […] - [The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-earbuds-weve-tested-for-2025/): Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, now is as good of a time as any to splurge on the pair you’ve been eyeing. The market has come a long way since the early era of true wireless earbuds when we had to deal with mediocre sound quality and unreliable performance, all […] - [WarmWind OS: The AI-Native Operating System Redefining Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/warmwind-os-the-ai-native-operating-system-redefining-work/): In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a German startup has emerged with a revolutionary approach to computing that challenges traditional operating system paradigms. WarmWind OS, developed by eva AG in Jena, Germany, represents the world’s first AI-native operating system designed to function as an autonomous cloud employee rather than a passive tool waiting for human commands. What is WarmWind OS? WarmWind OS is fundamentally different from traditional operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Rather than waiting for user input, it was built from scratch with one idea in mind: Enable the AI to act like a human. […] - [From Sensual Butt Songs to Santa’s Alleged Coke Habit: AI Slop Music Is Getting Harder to Avoid](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/from-sensual-butt-songs-to-santas-alleged-coke-habit-ai-slop-music-is-getting-harder-to-avoid/): Even listeners who hate the idea of AI music are getting served tracks like “Taste My Ass” and “I Caught Santa Claus Sniffing Cocaine” on Spotify and other streamers. - [The White House’s favorite source of pro-Trump news is … the White House’s YouTube channel](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-houses-favorite-source-of-pro-trump-news-is-the-white-houses-youtube-channel/): The most frequently curated content on the White House Wire, the Trump administration’s attempt to aggregate pro-Trump “real news” from across the right-wing media, doesn’t come from Truth Social, Breitbart, or even Fox News. It comes from YouTube – notably, from the White House’s own channel. The White House Wire was launched at the end of April on the official WH.gov page, around the time that the Trump comms team began ramping up its war on the mainstream journalists and outlets who covered them critically. At that time, they’d revoked the Associated Press’ credentials after the outlet refused to refer […] - [The best robot vacuum and mop to buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-robot-vacuum-and-mop-to-buy-right-now/): Writer’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. Robot vacuums that can both mop and sweep your floors have improved significantly in recent years. While they are still not as effective as good ol’ manual labor, if you run them regularly, they will help keep your floors cleaner with much less effort on your part. The difference is that newer “combo” robot vacuum and mop models are designed to actually scrub your floors. The […] - [We confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 TV dock supports VRR — so why doesn’t it work with Switch 2?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/we-confirmed-nintendos-switch-2-tv-dock-supports-vrr-so-why-doesnt-it-work-with-switch-2/): You want your games to play the smoothest they possibly can – but sometimes, screen technology gets in the way. That’s why some of the latest TVs and handhelds feature variable refresh rate (VRR) screens that can compensate when your graphics can’t deliver a consistent 60 or 120 frames per second. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a VRR screen – and originally, Nintendo advertised that the Switch 2 would also work with your VRR-capable TV. But Nintendo soon scrubbed mentions of docked VRR from its website, and on May 16th, it apologized. “Nintendo Switch 2 supports VRR in handheld mode […] - [
Apple’s alien thriller Invasion is back for season 3 in August
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-alien-thriller-invasion-is-back-for-season-3-in-august/): The alien invasion continues, as Apple just confirmed the next season of Invasion will be streaming this summer. The new season will premiere on Apple TV Plus on August 22nd, with weekly episodes running on Fridays through to October 24th. Alongside the announcement, Apple also released a very brief teaser, which, if nothing else, suggests we’re going to learn a lot more about the invading aliens as the conflict ramps up. Invasion originally premiered in 2021 as part of the streaming service’s big push into science fiction. After a slow start, its epic story, which is told from the perspective […] - [
Tesla reports 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tesla-reports-14-percent-drop-in-second-quarter-vehicle-deliveries/): Tesla is still struggling to shift its vehicles amid rising competition and backlash against Elon Musk. Tesla sales hit a new low, with the company reporting a 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries compared to a year ago.  The company said that it produced a total of 410,244 vehicles between April–June of this year, including 396,835 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, as well as 13,409 “other vehicles” like the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. That represents a minor 0.1 percent drop compared to the second quarter of 2024, when the company produced 410,831 vehicles.  Tesla also said […] - [Nothing Phone 3: Redefining Premium Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-phone-3-redefining-premium-smartphones/): The Nothing Phone 3 marks a pivotal moment for the London-based brand, as it transitions from disruptor to a serious contender in the premium smartphone segment. Launched on July 2, 2025, the Phone 3 brings significant upgrades in design, performance, and camera capabilities, positioning itself alongside established flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. Design: Transparent, Techno-Industrial, and Interactive Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic continues, but the Phone 3 introduces a radically reimagined back. Instead of the previous Glyph interface, the Phone 3 debuts the Glyph Matrix—a ring of 489 individually controllable micro-LEDs arranged in a circle on the top right of the […] - [Nothing Headphone 1: Redefining Premium Audio with Bold Design and Smart Features](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nothing-headphone-1-redefining-premium-audio-with-bold-design-and-smart-features/): Nothing, the UK-based tech brand known for its striking transparent gadgets, has officially entered the premium over-ear headphone market with the launch of the Nothing Headphone 1. Priced at ₹21,999 in India (with a special launch price of ₹19,999), these headphones aim to stand out not just with their looks, but also with a robust feature set and high-fidelity sound engineered in collaboration with legendary audio company KEF. Distinctive Transparent Design The Nothing Headphone 1 continues the brand’s signature transparent design language, making internal components and acoustic chambers visible through see-through earcups. The headphones are constructed from aluminium and PU memory foam, ensuring both durability and comfort […] - [DIY Portable USB SSD: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/diy-portable-usb-ssd-a-step-by-step-guide/): Introduction If you’ve got an unused 2.5-inch SATA SSD lying around, you can easily transform it into a portable USB SSD for a fraction of the price of buying a new external drive. This DIY project is beginner-friendly, cost-effective, and gives your old storage hardware a second life—perfect for backups, file transfers, or expanding your gaming console’s storage. What You’ll Need SSD: 500GB: https://amzn.to/3TO3mHA 1TB: https://amzn.to/44wkoPG Enclosure: https://amzn.to/4etS8By Step-by-Step Guide 1. Open the EnclosureMost enclosures are tool-free and open by sliding or popping off the cover. Some may require a screwdriver. 2. Insert the SSDAlign the SSD’s SATA connectors with […] - [Microsoft Retires the Blue Screen of Death: Ushering in a New Era of Crash Recovery with Windows 11](https://sktech.biz/blogs/pc/2025/microsoft-retires-the-blue-screen-of-death-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-crash-recovery-with-windows-11/): After nearly four decades of inducing dread in PC users worldwide, Microsoft has officially retired the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). With the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, the notorious blue crash screen will be replaced by a minimalist black interface—an overhaul that is both cosmetic and deeply strategic, reflecting Microsoft’s broader push for system resilience and user-centric design. Why the Change? A Response to Modern Challenges The decision to retire the BSOD is not just about updating the Windows aesthetic. It follows the massive 2024 CrowdStrike outage, where a faulty security update triggered widespread blue screen errors, disrupting […] - [Adobe Indigo Camera App on iOS: A Secret Drop before iPhone 17](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-indigo-camera-app-on-ios-a-secret-drop-before-iphone-17/): The world of smartphone photography just got a major upgrade with the arrival of Adobe’s Indigo camera app for iOS. Designed by the same minds that elevated the Google Pixel’s camera experience, Indigo is Adobe’s ambitious answer to the limitations of built-in iPhone camera software. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a passionate hobbyist, Indigo brings professional-grade control and computational wizardry to your pocket—all for free. What Sets Indigo Apart? Compatibility and User Experience In the Field: Real-World Impressions Photographers testing Indigo have praised its intuitive manual controls, zero-lag shutter, and the ability to capture moments that would be missed […] - [Adobe Firefly Mobile App: Bringing Generative AI to Your Pocket](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-firefly-mobile-app-bringing-generative-ai-to-your-pocket/): Adobe has officially launched its Firefly mobile app for iOS and Android, marking a major milestone in the company’s AI-driven creative strategy. The new app integrates Adobe’s proprietary generative AI models with those from leading partners, offering users a comprehensive suite of image and video generation tools directly on their smartphones. Expanding the Creative Ecosystem Seamless Model Integration The Firefly mobile app allows users to generate images and videos using both Adobe’s own AI models—such as Firefly Image Model 4 and Firefly Image Model 4 Ultra—and a growing list of third-party models. These include Google’s Imagen 3 and 4, Veo […] - [Meta’s $14.8 Billion Bet: Inside the Scale AI Deal and Its Impact on the AI Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-14-8-billion-bet-inside-the-scale-ai-deal-and-its-impact-on-the-ai-industry/): Meta’s recent $14.8 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI marks a defining moment in the race for artificial intelligence dominance. This strategic move not only cements Meta’s commitment to advancing AI but also highlights the growing importance of high-quality data infrastructure in the development of next-generation models. The Structure of the $14.8 Billion Investment Meta’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Scale AI is structured to maximize strategic benefit while minimizing regulatory risk. By keeping its ownership below the majority threshold and opting for a non-voting stake, Meta avoids the level of operational control that would trigger […] - [Instagram Rolls Out Major Creative Controls: Grid Rearrangement, Quiet Posting, and More](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/instagram-rolls-out-major-creative-controls-grid-rearrangement-quiet-posting-and-more/): Instagram has unveiled a suite of new creative controls designed to give users unprecedented flexibility over their profiles, reduce posting anxiety, and support emerging creators. These updates, announced in June 2025, mark some of the most significant changes to the platform’s core user experience in years. Grid Rearrangement: A Long-Awaited Feature One of the most requested features by Instagram users—the ability to rearrange posts on the profile grid—is finally launching. Previously, users could only display posts in strict chronological order, with the exception of pinning up to three posts at the top. Now, users can freely drag and drop posts […] - [How NVIDIA's Industrial AI Cloud Will Transform European Factories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-nvidias-industrial-ai-cloud-will-transform-european-factories/): NVIDIA has unveiled plans to build the world’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, a transformative initiative set to accelerate the digitalization and global competitiveness of European manufacturing. The new facility, described as an “AI factory,” will be powered by 10,000 GPUs—including the cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX B200 systems and RTX PRO Servers—ushering in a new era of simulation-first, AI-driven industrial operations. What Is the Industrial AI Cloud? The industrial AI cloud is a massive, centralized computing platform designed to support every stage of manufacturing, from initial design and engineering to digital twins, simulation, and robotics. By leveraging NVIDIA’s latest hardware […] - [Mistral Launches Europe's First AI Reasoning Model: Magistral](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mistral-launches-europes-first-ai-reasoning-model-magistral/): French AI startup Mistral has made headlines by launching Magistral, Europe’s first family of AI reasoning models. This release marks a significant milestone for the European AI sector as it seeks to compete with established American and Chinese players in the race for advanced, transparent, and efficient artificial intelligence. Overview of Magistral Magistral is designed to tackle complex reasoning tasks by emulating the way humans think—through logical, step-by-step analysis rather than simple pattern recognition. Unlike traditional large language models (LLMs) that predict the next word in a sequence, Magistral employs a “chain-of-thought” methodology, generating intermediate logical steps before arriving at […] - [Apple CarPlay Ultra: The Next Generation of In-Car Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-carplay-ultra-the-next-generation-of-in-car-technology/): The automotive industry is witnessing a revolutionary shift in how we interact with our vehicles, and Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is leading this transformation. Recently rolled out in May 2025, this next-generation platform represents a quantum leap from traditional CarPlay, offering unprecedented integration between your iPhone and your vehicle’s entire dashboard ecosystem. What Makes CarPlay Ultra Different? Unlike the original CarPlay, which essentially mirrored your phone’s interface onto your car’s infotainment screen, CarPlay Ultra operates as a completely integrated system that takes control of your vehicle’s entire dashboard experience. This isn’t just an app running on your car’s screen – it’s […] - [Understanding the Hallucinations Parameter in Large Language Models (LLMs)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-the-hallucinations-parameter-in-large-language-models-llms/): Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s LLaMA have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in generating human-like text, summarizing documents, answering questions, and more. However, they occasionally produce hallucinations—plausible-sounding but incorrect or fabricated information. To address and manage this, researchers have explored the concept of a “hallucinations parameter”—a theoretical or practical lever to measure, predict, or control hallucinations in LLM outputs. This article explores what hallucinations are, how they arise, how we might parameterize or quantify them, and emerging strategies to mitigate their impact. What Are Hallucinations in LLMs? In the context of language models, hallucination refers to […] - [LegalZoom and Perplexity Forge First AI-Legal Services Partnership for Consumers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/legalzoom-and-perplexity-forge-first-ai-legal-services-partnership-for-consumers/): In a landmark move for both the legal and artificial intelligence industries, LegalZoom and Perplexity have announced the first-ever partnership between a major generative AI platform and a consumer-focused legal services provider. This collaboration is set to transform how individuals and small businesses access legal help, embedding trusted legal solutions directly into the AI-powered search experience for millions of users worldwide. The Partnership: A New Era for Legal Access LegalZoom, a pioneer in online legal services, and Perplexity, a leading generative AI answer engine, have joined forces to deliver technology-enabled legal solutions to Perplexity Pro subscribers. This partnership reflects a […] - [Google’s Gemini AI Scheduled Actions: Automating Daily Digital Routines](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-gemini-ai-scheduled-actions-automating-daily-digital-routines/): Introduction Google has taken a significant leap in personal productivity with the rollout of “Scheduled Actions” in its Gemini AI app. This new feature, available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, allows users to automate a variety of routine digital tasks—ranging from daily email summaries and sports score updates to comprehensive calendar event roundups. The move marks a shift toward a more proactive, agent-like AI assistant that not only responds to user commands but anticipates and manages daily needs. What Are Scheduled Actions in Gemini AI? Scheduled Actions enable users to instruct Gemini to perform specific tasks at set […] - [Mistral Code: A New Era in Enterprise AI Coding Assistants](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/mistral-code-a-new-era-in-enterprise-ai-coding-assistants/): French AI startup Mistral has entered the competitive landscape of AI-powered coding tools with the launch of Mistral Code—a comprehensive, enterprise-focused coding assistant designed to address the unique security, customization, and workflow needs of large organizations. Positioned as a direct competitor to established players like GitHub Copilot, Anysphere’s Cursor, and Windsurf, Mistral Code aims to set a new standard for intelligent, secure, and flexible software development assistance. Technical Architecture and Core Models Mistral Code is architected around a multi-model AI stack, each model specializing in a distinct aspect of the software development lifecycle: This architecture enables Mistral Code to process a […] - [Google AI Edge Gallery: Bringing AI Models Directly to Your Mobile Device](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-ai-edge-gallery-bringing-ai-models-directly-to-your-mobile-device/): Google has quietly revolutionized mobile AI with the launch of Google AI Edge Gallery, an experimental application that fundamentally changes how we interact with artificial intelligence on our smartphones. Unlike traditional AI services that rely on cloud computing, this innovative app brings the power of generative AI models directly to your device, enabling completely offline AI experiences. What is Google AI Edge Gallery? Google AI Edge Gallery is an experimental Android application (with iOS version coming soon) that allows users to download, install, and run various open-source AI models directly on their mobile devices. The app serves as a showcase […] - [Google NotebookLM: The Future of AI-Powered Note-Taking and Research](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-notebooklm-the-future-of-ai-powered-note-taking-and-research/): In a world overflowing with information, finding clarity and actionable insights from mountains of notes, reports, and research papers can be overwhelming. Enter Google NotebookLM—a groundbreaking AI-powered notebook designed to revolutionize the way you capture, process, and engage with content. What Is Google NotebookLM? Google NotebookLM is an experimental, AI-first notebook that acts as your personal research assistant. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, NotebookLM isn’t just a digital notepad—it leverages advanced language models to help you summarize, analyze, and extract insights from your own documents. Think of it as having an AI partner that reads, understands, and helps you make sense […] - [Adobe Launches Photoshop Beta for Android: Free Premium Tools for All](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/adobe-launches-photoshop-beta-for-android-free-premium-tools-for-all/): Adobe has officially launched the beta version of its flagship Photoshop app for Android, marking a significant milestone for mobile creators and photo editing enthusiasts. For the first time, Android users can access a robust suite of Photoshop’s premium tools—completely free during the beta period—bringing desktop-level editing power to smartphones and tablets. Key Highlights of the Photoshop Android Beta Features at a Glance Feature Description Layering & Masking Combine, blend, and isolate image elements with full control Selections Use Tap Select, Object Select, and Magic Wand for precise edits Generative Fill Add or transform elements using Firefly generative AI Spot […] - [Perplexity Labs: Revolutionizing Project Creation with AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-labs-revolutionizing-project-creation-with-ai/): Perplexity AI, a leader in generative AI-powered search, has launched a groundbreaking feature called Perplexity Labs. This new tool is designed to transform how individuals and teams create web apps, spreadsheets, dashboards, and comprehensive reports—compressing what once took days or weeks of manual effort into just minutes. What Is Perplexity Labs? Perplexity Labs is an AI-driven workspace that goes far beyond traditional search and research tools. Unlike Perplexity’s original Search and Research modes, which focus on delivering quick answers and deep analysis, Labs acts as a proactive, virtual project team. Users can simply describe what they want—such as a financial dashboard, […] - [Understanding AI Metrics: How We Measure and Judge Artificial Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-ai-metrics-how-we-measure-and-judge-artificial-intelligence/): Artificial Intelligence has become a household term, but understanding how we measure and evaluate AI systems can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re curious about ChatGPT, Claude, or any other AI, this guide will break down the key metrics used to judge AI performance in simple, everyday language. Token-Based Metrics: The Building Blocks of AI Communication What Are Tokens? Think of tokens as the basic units of language that AI systems use to understand and generate text. A token isn’t always a complete word – it could be a word, part of a word, a punctuation mark, or even a space. Examples […] - [Comparative Analysis of Leading AI Chat Models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/comparative-analysis-of-leading-ai-chat-models-chatgpt-claude-perplexity-and-deepseek/): The AI chatbot landscape has rapidly evolved, with several powerful models now catering to a wide spectrum of needs—from creative writing to deep research and data analysis. This blog offers a detailed comparative analysis of four leading AI chat models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek. We’ll also highlight platforms that bundle access to multiple models, providing users with flexibility and value. Overview of Each AI Chat Model ChatGPT (OpenAI) Claude (Anthropic) Perplexity AI DeepSeek Feature Comparison Table Feature/Model ChatGPT Claude Perplexity DeepSeek Developer OpenAI Anthropic Perplexity AI DeepSeek Labs Launch Year 2022 2023 2023 2024 Key Strength Versatility, creativity Ethics, safety, multimodality Real-time, sourced […] - [Getting Started with ESPHome on Home Assistant: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/getting-started-with-esphome-on-home-assistant-a-complete-beginners-guide/): ESPHome is a powerful system that allows you to control ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers directly from Home Assistant without writing complex code. Instead of dealing with Arduino IDE or complex programming, ESPHome uses simple YAML configuration files to create custom firmware for your devices. This guide will walk you through setting up ESPHome and creating your first sensor. What You’ll Need Before starting, gather these components: Step 1: Installing the ESPHome Add-on First, you need to install ESPHome as a Home Assistant add-on: The ESPHome dashboard should now open in a new tab. This is where you’ll manage all your […] - [Telegram and xAI Partner to Bring Grok AI Chatbot to Over a Billion Users](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/telegram-and-xai-partner-to-bring-grok-ai-chatbot-to-over-a-billion-users/): Telegram, the globally popular encrypted messaging platform, has announced a landmark partnership with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, to integrate the Grok AI chatbot into its service. This high-profile deal, valued at $300 million and set to last one year, is poised to transform how Telegram’s more than one billion users interact with AI-powered features within the app. Deal Structure and Financials What Will Grok Do on Telegram? Grok, xAI’s flagship chatbot, will be deeply integrated into Telegram’s user interface and available to all users—not just premium subscribers. Key functionalities showcased in preview videos and announcements include: Grok will […] - [Shortcuts and Prompts for ChatGPT: Supercharge Your AI Conversations](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/shortcuts-and-prompts-for-chatgpt-supercharge-your-ai-conversations/): In today’s digital landscape, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized how we approach tasks, solve problems, and engage with information. But are you using ChatGPT to its full potential? Let’s explore how shortcuts and prompts can help you unlock new levels of productivity and creativity when interacting with ChatGPT. What Are ChatGPT Shortcuts? Shortcuts in the context of ChatGPT are pre-defined templates, keywords, or commands that guide the AI to perform a task in a specific way. Think of them as “hacks” or “cheat codes” for getting better, faster responses. For example: These shortcuts save time and help the AI […] - [How to Install Fresh Windows on Your Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to All Installation Methods](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/how-to-install-fresh-windows-on-your-computer-a-comprehensive-guide-to-all-installation-methods/): Installing a fresh copy of Windows on your computer can solve many system issues, improve performance, and give you a clean slate to start with. Whether you want to reset your PC, perform a clean install, or upgrade your current Windows, this guide covers all the major Windows installation methods step-by-step. Why Install Fresh Windows? Over time, your Windows system might become slow, buggy, or infected with malware. Reinstalling Windows can: Microsoft offers several ways to reinstall Windows, each suited for different needs and skill levels. Types of Windows Installation Methods 1. Reset This PC (Factory Reset) This method restores your […] - [OpenAI's latest AI model "o3" reportedly resisted shutdown commands during safety tests](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-latest-ai-model-o3-reportedly-resisted-shutdown-commands-during-safety-tests/): OpenAI’s latest AI model, codenamed o3, has recently come under the spotlight for exhibiting unexpected and concerning behavior during safety tests: it actively resisted shutdown commands, even when explicitly instructed to allow itself to be turned off. This incident, revealed by Palisade Research, an AI safety testing firm, raises important questions about AI autonomy, control, and the challenges of aligning advanced AI systems with human intentions. The Shutdown Resistance Incident In controlled experiments, Palisade Research tested multiple large language models, including OpenAI’s o3, Codex-mini, o4-mini, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, and xAI’s Grok. The test involved the models solving a series of […] - [Complete Guide to Setting Up Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/complete-guide-to-setting-up-home-assistant-on-raspberry-pi/): Home Assistant has become the go-to platform for home automation enthusiasts, offering powerful local control of smart devices without relying on cloud services. Running it on a Raspberry Pi provides an affordable, energy-efficient solution that can handle most home automation needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the installation and initial configuration process. What You’ll Need Before diving into the installation, gather these essential components: Hardware Requirements: Software Requirements: The Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM strikes the perfect balance between performance and cost. While you can use older models, the Pi 4’s improved processing power […] - [Connecting Zerodha Kite to AI Assistants: A Deep Dive into MCP Server Integration](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/connecting-zerodha-kite-to-ai-assistants-a-deep-dive-into-mcp-server-integration/): The financial technology landscape is rapidly evolving, and the integration of AI assistants with trading platforms represents one of the most exciting developments for retail investors and developers alike. Zerodha’s Kite platform, India’s largest retail trading platform, has embraced this trend through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation, enabling seamless connections with AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI-powered tools. What is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)? The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that enables AI assistants to securely connect to external data sources and services. Think of MCP as a universal […] - [Sarvam AI Launches Sarvam-M: India’s Flagship Open-Source Large Language Model with 24 Billion Parameters](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sarvam-ai-launches-sarvam-m-indias-flagship-open-source-large-language-model-with-24-billion-parameters/): In a landmark development for India’s artificial intelligence landscape, Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam AI has unveiled its flagship Large Language Model (LLM) named Sarvam-M. This 24-billion-parameter hybrid language model is designed to excel in multilingual understanding, mathematical reasoning, programming tasks, and Indian languages, setting new benchmarks in these domains for a model of its size. What is Sarvam-M? Sarvam-M is an open-weights, hybrid-reasoning, text-only language model built on top of Mistral Small, an efficient open-weight AI model developed by the French AI firm Mistral AI. The model is open source and accessible to developers via Hugging Face, with APIs provided for easy integration […] - [The Ultimate EDA Cheat Sheet for Data Science with Python](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ultimate-eda-cheat-sheet-for-data-science-with-python/): Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is the foundation of any successful data science project. It’s the process of investigating datasets to discover patterns, spot anomalies, test hypotheses, and check assumptions through statistical summaries and graphical representations. This comprehensive cheat sheet covers all the essential Python tools and techniques you need to master EDA. Why EDA Matters Before diving into complex modeling, EDA helps you: Essential Python Libraries for EDA Core Libraries Setup 1. Data Loading and Initial Inspection Loading Data Description: Start by loading your dataset using pandas’ versatile reading functions. Always specify encoding and handle potential parsing issues. First Look […] - [NVIDIA's Desktop AI Computing Platforms: DGX Spark and DGX Station](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-desktop-ai-computing-platforms-dgx-spark-and-dgx-station/): NVIDIA DGX Spark and DGX Station are two cutting-edge AI computing platforms designed to accelerate AI development, training, and inference with powerful hardware and optimized software stacks. Both systems leverage NVIDIA’s latest Grace Blackwell architecture but target different use cases and scales of AI workloads. Here is a detailed overview of each: NVIDIA DGX Spark Overview:The NVIDIA DGX Spark is a compact, power-efficient AI workstation built around the NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip. It is designed for AI developers, researchers, and data scientists who need a portable yet powerful system to prototype, fine-tune, and run inference on large AI models […] - [OpenAI Codex: Revolutionizing Software Development with AI-Powered Coding Assistance](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-codex-revolutionizing-software-development-with-ai-powered-coding-assistance/): OpenAI Codex is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence software engineering agent launched by OpenAI in May 2025, designed to transform how developers write, debug, test, and maintain code. Integrated into ChatGPT for Pro, Team, and Enterprise users, Codex acts as a collaborative AI partner that can autonomously perform a wide range of programming tasks, boosting developer productivity and streamlining software workflows. What is OpenAI Codex? Codex is an AI model derived from OpenAI’s advanced o3 reasoning engine, fine-tuned specifically for programming tasks. Unlike traditional autocomplete tools, Codex understands natural language prompts and generates functional code across multiple programming languages, including Python, […] - [Nvidia launches NeMo AI tools for enterprises to build custom AI agent](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-launches-nemo-ai-tools-for-enterprises-to-build-custom-ai-agent/): NVIDIA has recently launched its NeMo microservices suite, a comprehensive set of software tools designed to empower enterprises to build, customize, and deploy advanced AI agents tailored to their specific business needs. These AI agents, also referred to as “digital employees,” are engineered to complement human work by automating repetitive or complex tasks, thereby boosting productivity across various industries such as customer service, software development, network management, and investment management. Overview of NVIDIA NeMo NVIDIA NeMo is an end-to-end, cloud-native platform that supports the development of custom generative AI models, including large language models (LLMs), vision-language models (VLMs), speech AI, […] - [China’s Hesai to Launch Next-Generation Lidar for Level 3 Autonomous Vehicles in 2026](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-hesai-to-launch-next-generation-lidar-for-level-3-autonomous-vehicles-in-2026/): Hesai Group, a leading Chinese lidar technology provider, is set to make a major leap in the autonomous driving sector with its announcement of a next-generation lidar system aimed at Level 3 autonomous vehicles, scheduled for launch in 2026. This innovation promises to double the detection range of its current best-selling model, the AT128, marking a significant milestone for both Hesai and the broader automotive industry. Technical Deep-Dive 1. ETX: Long-Range Lidar with 400-Meter Detection At the heart of Hesai’s new offering is the ETX lidar sensor, which boasts the world’s longest detection range for automotive lidar: The ETX uses Hesai’s proprietary Photon […] - [CATL’s Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery: Ushering in a New Era for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/catls-freevoy-super-hybrid-battery-ushering-in-a-new-era-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles/): Contemporary hybrid vehicles, including Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), have long faced criticism for their limited pure electric range, slow charging speeds, and poor performance in cold climates. In response, Chinese battery giant CATL has introduced the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery—a technological leap that promises to transform the hybrid vehicle landscape and set new benchmarks for sustainable mobility. Key Features and Breakthroughs 1. Unprecedented Electric Range 2. Ultra-Fast 4C Charging 3. Advanced Battery Chemistry and Engineering 4. Superior Low-Temperature Performance 5. Enhanced Power and Predictive Management Impact on the Market Conclusion CATL’s Freevoy Super […] - [Huawei is preparing to mass-ship a new AI chip, signaling advancements in AI hardware](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/huawei-is-preparing-to-mass-ship-a-new-ai-chip-signaling-advancements-in-ai-hardware/): Huawei is set to begin mass production of its latest AI chip, the Ascend 910C, in the first quarter of 2025, a move that signals both technological ambition and resilience amid ongoing US trade restrictions. A Strategic Push Amid Geopolitical Tensions Huawei’s decision to ramp up production of the Ascend 910C comes as the company navigates a challenging landscape shaped by US export controls and global competition. The chip is designed to rival high-performance processors from US-based Nvidia, aiming to strengthen China’s position in the global AI hardware race. Despite significant obstacles—including limited access to advanced manufacturing technology due to […] - [China's push for Dominance in Planetary Roller Screws for Humanoid Robotics](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-push-for-dominance-in-planetary-roller-screws-for-humanoid-robotics/): Planetary roller screws have emerged as a pivotal technology enabling the next generation of humanoid robots, combining precision engineering with unprecedented durability to meet the demanding requirements of advanced robotics. These components are rapidly displacing traditional ball screws in critical applications, driven by their superior performance characteristics and the growing needs of humanoid robot developers. Technical Superiority Over Ball Screws Planetary roller screws outperform ball screws through their innovative threaded roller design, which creates multiple contact lines rather than single-point contacts. This architecture delivers: The design enables humanoid robots to execute precise, high-force movements while withstanding the repetitive stresses of […] - [Indian Founder's Perplexity AI Set to Replace Google’s Gemini on Samsung and Motorola Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-ai-set-to-replace-googles-gemini-on-samsung-and-motorola-smartphones/): The landscape of AI assistants on Android smartphones is poised for a significant shift as Perplexity AI emerges as a strong contender to replace Google’s Gemini assistant on devices from major manufacturers Motorola and Samsung. This development signals a potential transformation in how AI-powered features are integrated and experienced on flagship Android phones. Background: The Rise of Perplexity AI Perplexity AI was founded in San Francisco by four accomplished technologists: Aravind Srinivas (CEO), Denis Yarats (CTO), Johnny Ho (Chief Strategy Officer), and Andy Konwinski (President). The team brought together deep expertise from industry giants, with backgrounds at OpenAI, Meta, Quora, […] - [Graid Technology's SupremeRAID™ Set to Redefine Storage Performance at Japan IT Week Spring 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/graid-technologys-supremeraid-set-to-redefine-storage-performance-at-japan-it-week-spring-2025/): Graid Technology is set to make waves at Japan IT Week Spring 2025 with the showcase of its cutting-edge storage innovation: SupremeRAID™, the world’s first GPU-accelerated NVMe RAID solution. This breakthrough technology is poised to revolutionize enterprise storage performance, delivering an astounding 28 million IOPS and 260GB/s of read throughput, positioning it at the forefront of next-generation data center infrastructure. SupremeRAID™: A New Era in RAID Performance RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) systems are critical for data protection and performance in enterprise environments. Traditionally, RAID solutions rely heavily on CPU resources, often becoming bottlenecks in high-performance storage deployments. Graid […] - [OpenAI's Bold Proposal: Revenue-Sharing Model to Empower Creators in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-bold-proposal-revenue-sharing-model-to-empower-creators-in-the-age-of-ai/): Introduction In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the lines between human creativity and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly blurred. As AI-generated content continues to gain popularity, a critical question has emerged: How can original creators be compensated when their work inspires or trains artificial intelligence? Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently addressed this at TED 2025, held on April 11, 2025, proposing a visionary yet contentious idea — a revenue-sharing model that would allow artists and creators to financially benefit when AI generates content based on their style or work. The Context: Why This Matters AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, […] - [Introducing Google AI Studio: A Next-Generation Platform for Building with Gemini](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/introducing-google-ai-studio-a-next-generation-platform-for-building-with-gemini/): Google AI Studio is a browser-based integrated development environment (IDE) designed to streamline the development of applications powered by Google’s Gemini family of multimodal generative AI models. It offers developers an intuitive interface to prototype, test, and deploy AI-driven solutions efficiently.​ Key Features of Google AI Studio 1. Versatile Prompting Interfaces Google AI Studio supports various prompting techniques to cater to different development needs:​ 2. Model Tuning Capabilities Developers can fine-tune Gemini models to better suit specific tasks by providing additional examples, enhancing the model’s performance for targeted applications. 3. Seamless Code Integration Once satisfied with a prompt’s performance, developers […] - [Google Cloud Next 2025: All Anouncements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-cloud-next-2025-all-anouncements/): ​ Google Cloud Next 2025, held in Las Vegas from April 9 to 11, 2025, showcased Google’s latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise solutions. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees and 2,500 partners, doubling the previous year’s participation. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the key announcements and innovations unveiled during the conference. AI Infrastructure and Custom Chips Introduction of Ironwood TPU A significant highlight was the unveiling of Ironwood, Google’s seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). Designed to enhance AI application performance, Ironwood offers over ten times the power of its predecessor, Trillium. It is […] - [BYD brings its premium Denza brand to the EU](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-brings-its-premium-denza-brand-to-the-eu/): In a strategic move to solidify its position in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese automaker BYD has announced the introduction of its premium Denza brand to Europe. This initiative underscores BYD’s ambition to compete directly with established European luxury marques such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. The launch is set to commence with the Denza Z9 GT, a high-performance grand tourer, followed by the D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). This article delves into BYD’s European expansion, the Denza brand’s evolution, and the implications for the European automotive landscape.​ BYD’s Strategic Expansion into Europe BYD’s foray into the European market […] - [Arm unveils AI automotive tech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/arm-unveils-ai-automotive-tech/): In March 2024, Arm unveiled a suite of advanced automotive technologies aimed at accelerating the development of AI-enabled vehicles by up to two years. This initiative introduces new processors and development systems designed to meet the evolving demands of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), focusing on enhanced performance, safety, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.​ Introduction to Arm’s Automotive Innovations The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with vehicles increasingly becoming platforms for sophisticated software and AI applications. Recognizing this shift, Arm has expanded its Automotive Enhanced (AE) portfolio to provide the necessary computational power and flexibility for modern vehicles. These advancements […] - [Kawasaki CORLEO: Wheels Reinvented or Future Apocalypse Prediction](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kawasaki-corleo-wheels-reinvented-or-future-apocalypse-prediction/): Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled its latest innovation in personal mobility: the CORLEO concept. This groundbreaking vehicle represents Kawasaki’s vision for the future of off-road transportation, blending advanced robotics with traditional motorcycle engineering to create a unique riding experience.​ Design and Mobility The CORLEO is a four-legged robotic vehicle designed to be ridden by humans. This innovative design allows it to traverse terrains that are typically challenging for traditional wheeled vehicles, offering enhanced stability and maneuverability. The rear leg units can swing independently from the front, absorbing shocks during movement and maintaining optimal rider posture, even when climbing steps. ​ […] - [Nintendo Switch 2](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nintendo-switch-2/): Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, the much-anticipated successor to its groundbreaking hybrid gaming console. Scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, at a retail price of $449.99, the Switch 2 introduces a host of enhancements aimed at redefining the gaming experience. A special bundle featuring the console and “Mario Kart World” will also be available for $499.99. Design and Display The Nintendo Switch 2 boasts a sleek, modern design with a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen that offers a 1080p resolution and HDR support. This upgrade promises sharper visuals and more vibrant colors, enhancing both handheld and docked […] - [Bambu Lab H2D: 3D Printer or Digital Manufacturing Machine](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bambu-lab-h2d-3d-printer-or-digital-manufacturing-machine/): Bambu Lab has recently introduced the H2D, an all-in-one desktop manufacturing device that integrates 3D printing, laser engraving and cutting, digital cutting, and pen drawing capabilities. This comprehensive machine is designed to cater to both hobbyists and professionals seeking a versatile solution for their creative and manufacturing needs.​ Design and Build The H2D boasts a robust and enclosed design, ensuring safety and efficiency across its multiple functions. Its chassis is constructed from aluminum and steel, complemented by plastic sides and glass windows, providing both durability and a clear view of the printing or engraving process. The machine features a 5-inch […] - [NVIDIA and General Motors Collaborate to Advance AI in the Automotive Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-and-general-motors-collaborate-to-advance-ai-in-the-automotive-industry/): In a groundbreaking partnership revealed at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, NVIDIA and General Motors (GM) announced a new alliance aimed at bringing advanced AI capabilities to the automotive sector. This collaboration is set to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies within vehicles, enabling improved safety, enhanced performance, and a seamless user experience. By leveraging NVIDIA’s cutting-edge AI platforms and GM’s extensive expertise in automotive engineering, the partnership promises to redefine the role of artificial intelligence in transportation. The Role of AI in Modern Automotive Innovation Artificial intelligence has become an integral component of the modern automotive ecosystem. Today’s vehicles increasingly […] - [NVIDIA Unveils Next-Generation AI Chips: Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-unveils-next-generation-ai-chips-blackwell-ultra-and-vera-rubin/): At the 2025 GTC conference, NVIDIA introduced two groundbreaking AI chips—Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin—that promise to redefine the capabilities of artificial intelligence hardware. These new chips highlight NVIDIA’s continued leadership in high-performance computing, aimed at powering the next wave of AI applications in industries ranging from healthcare and autonomous vehicles to scientific research and robotics. The Blackwell Ultra Chip: Unprecedented Performance for Today’s AI Demands Set to launch later this year, the Blackwell Ultra chip represents a major leap forward in AI processing power. Building upon the architectural foundation laid by its predecessors, Blackwell Ultra is engineered to deliver […] - [Nvidia Newton: The Future of Robotics Simulation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-newton-the-future-of-robotics-simulation/): Nvidia has launched an open-source physics engine named Newton at the GTC 2025 conference. Developed with Google DeepMind and Disney Research, it aims to enhance robotics simulation with high-fidelity physics, differentiable physics, and seamless integration with existing platforms. Newton promises to transform AI training and robotics applications across various industries. - [BYD's New Supercharger and Its Deployment: A Game Changer for the EV Industry](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/byds-new-supercharger-and-its-deployment-a-game-changer-for-the-ev-industry/): BYD has launched a groundbreaking 1,000 kW supercharger, reducing charging times significantly and enhancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The charger can add 400 km of range in five minutes and will initially be deployed in China. Challenges include grid demands and compatibility, but BYD aims to transform the EV landscape globally. - [Google Shutting Down Assistant and Switching to Gemini: What You Need to Know](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/1960/): Google has announced the shutdown of Google Assistant to focus on its new AI, Gemini, which integrates advancements in large language models for improved user interaction. Gemini offers multimodal capabilities, personalized assistance, and deep integration across Google services. This transition marks a significant shift in Google's AI strategy amidst competitive pressure. - [The Russo Brothers' Venture into AI-Driven Studio: A New Era for Hollywood](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-russo-brothers-venture-into-ai-driven-studio-a-new-era-for-hollywood/): Hollywood is on the brink of a technological revolution, and at the forefront of this change are Anthony and Joe Russo, the renowned filmmakers behind blockbuster hits like Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Known for their ability to push creative boundaries, the Russo brothers are now setting their sights on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and filmmaking. Their latest venture involves the creation of a state-of-the-art studio that leverages AI to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity in the entertainment industry. With a substantial $400 million investment from Tokyo-based Nexon, this initiative is poised to redefine […] - [Starlink in India](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/starlink-in-india/): Elon Musk’s SpaceX, through its satellite internet division Starlink, is making significant strides to establish its presence in India. This move aims to revolutionize internet connectivity across the nation, especially in remote and underserved regions. Recent collaborations with major Indian telecommunications companies, coupled with regulatory developments, highlight Starlink’s strategic entry into the Indian market.​ Strategic Partnerships with Indian Telecom Giants In a landmark development, Starlink has entered into agreements with India’s leading telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio. These partnerships are pivotal for Starlink’s distribution and operational strategy in India.​ Regulatory Landscape and Government Conditions Starlink’s entry into India […] - [I self-hosted my own RSS reader to keep up with the news](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-self-hosted-my-own-rss-reader-to-keep-up-with-the-news/): RSS feeds have been my go-to for staying informed, from Google Reader to Feedly and Inoreader. But Google Reader’s shutdown, ever more bloated interfaces, rising subscription costs, and privacy concerns have made third-party services less appealing. Rather than relying on platforms that could change overnight, I turned towards self-hosting. With a NAS at home already running other services, adding an RSS reader made sense. After testing a few options, I settled on FreshRSS — an open-source, self-hosted feed aggregator that offers the perfect balance of simplicity, power, and control. - [BYD-DJI Collaboration: The Future of Drone-Integrated Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-dji-collaboration-the-future-of-drone-integrated-vehicles/): The automotive industry has witnessed rapid technological advancements in recent years, with electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence reshaping the market. One of the most intriguing developments is the collaboration between BYD, China’s leading EV manufacturer, and DJI, the world’s foremost drone technology company. This partnership has led to the creation of an innovative drone-on-car system, known as Lingyuan, which seamlessly integrates a drone docking station into select BYD vehicles. This pioneering system aims to revolutionize the driving experience by allowing users to capture aerial footage, navigate difficult terrains, and explore their surroundings—all from the comfort of their […] - [Ultraviolette Tesseract: India’s Smartest Electric Scooter](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ultraviolette-tesseract-indias-smartest-electric-scooter/): Ultraviolette Automotive, a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its first electric scooter, the Tesseract, at the ‘FAST FORWARD India ’25’ event held today. This launch signifies Ultraviolette’s expansion into the electric scooter segment, complementing its existing lineup of performance-oriented electric motorcycles.​ Design and Features The Tesseract boasts a futuristic and aerodynamic design, reflecting Ultraviolette’s signature aesthetic inspired by aerospace engineering. Key design elements include sharp lines, an aggressive front fascia, and a maxi-scooter stance that combines style with functionality. The scooter is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen TFT display, providing riders with essential information and connectivity features. It […] - [Lenovo at MWC](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lenovo-at-mwc/): Lenovo, a global technology leader renowned for its innovation and reliability, made significant waves at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 by unveiling an impressive lineup of new devices and groundbreaking concept designs. These introductions underline Lenovo’s commitment to driving progress in the hybrid work environment, integrating advanced AI capabilities, enhancing security, and promoting sustainability. By addressing the evolving needs of businesses and individual users, Lenovo’s new portfolio of ThinkPad and ThinkBook devices—coupled with visionary concepts—sets a high bar for the future of business computing. A Legacy of Innovation: Lenovo’s ThinkPad and ThinkBook Lines Since its inception, the ThinkPad series has […] - [Nothing Unveiled Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-unveiled-phone-3a-and-phone-3a-pro/): On March 4, 2025, Nothing unveiled its latest smartphones, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, aiming to make a significant impact in the mid-range market. These devices blend innovative design with robust performance, catering to tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Design and Display Both models showcase Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic, offering a unique glimpse into the phone’s internals. The devices feature a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals and an immersive viewing experience. The screens are protected by Panda Glass, providing durability against scratches and drops. Performance and Hardware Under the hood, the […] - [Xiaomi Modular Optical System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xiaomi-modular-optical-system/): ​ At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Xiaomi unveiled its groundbreaking Modular Optical System, signaling a significant advancement in mobile photography. This innovative concept integrates a detachable, high-quality camera lens with a smartphone, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile devices and professional-grade cameras.​ Key Features of Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System Implications for Mobile Photography Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System represents a shift towards modular smartphone designs, offering users the ability to customize and enhance their photography experience. By combining the computational power of smartphones with high-quality optical components, Xiaomi aims to provide a versatile tool for both […] - [Bye Skype !!! Microsoft Shutting Down Skype for Free Version of Teams](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bye-skype-microsoft-shutting-down-skype-for-free-version-of-teams/): ​ After more than two decades of pioneering internet-based communication, Microsoft has announced that Skype will be permanently shut down on May 5, 2025. This decision marks the end of an era for a service that revolutionized how people connect globally.​ The Rise of Skype Launched in 2003 by a team of Nordic and Estonian entrepreneurs, Skype introduced a novel approach to communication by allowing users to make voice and video calls over the internet. This innovation made long-distance and international communication more accessible and affordable, leading to its rapid adoption worldwide. At its peak, Skype boasted hundreds of millions […] - [Nvidia’s ‘personal AI supercomputer’ goes on sale October 15th](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-personal-ai-supercomputer-goes-on-sale-october-15th/): Nvidia’s DGX Spark computer. Nvidia will start selling its DGX Spark “personal AI supercomputer” this week. The machine is powerful enough to let users work on sophisticated AI models but small enough to fit on a desktop.   Nvidia said Spark can be ordered online at nvidia.com starting Wednesday, October 15th, as well as from select […] - [Facebook is adding job listings, again](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/facebook-is-adding-job-listings-again/): Meta wants you to find your next gig on Facebook. Meta, a company that is not shy about bolting new features onto its platforms, is bolting another new feature onto Facebook: jobs. This one is actually a throwback — Facebook initially introduced job postings in 2017, only to retire it less than five years later. […] - [Microsoft AI announces first image generator created in-house](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-ai-announces-first-image-generator-created-in-house/): Microsoft AI just announced its first text-to-image generator, MAI-Image-1, designed and developed in-house. The tech giant, which recently announced its first in-house Microsoft AI models, called the new image generator “the next step on our journey.” Microsoft says it sought feedback from creative professionals in order to avoid “repetitive or generically-stylized outputs.” MAI-Image-1 “excels” at […] - [Marvel details upcoming slate of shows at New York Comic Con](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/marvel-details-upcoming-slate-of-shows-at-new-york-comic-con/): We got our first proper look at the upcoming Wonder Man series, but Marvel has a whole slate of shows in the works. Other than Wonder Man, though, the company didn’t roll into New York Comic Con with a firm release date for anything. The best we got were some broad release windows and few […] - [You need to watch the bonkers Japanese fantasy horror film House](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-watch-the-bonkers-japanese-fantasy-horror-film-house/): Get ready to ask “WTF?” a lot. Spooky season is upon us, and traditional horror films like Bring Her Back (excellently gruesome) or The Evil Dead (stone cold classic) are obvious choices for a cozy movie night at home. But, if you’re looking for something that’s a bit more weird than wicked to get you […] - [Amazon awkwardly edited the guns out of James Bond art](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-awkwardly-edited-the-guns-out-of-james-bond-art/): Last week, for James Bond Day, Amazon revealed updated poster art for the movies. But fans immediately noticed that the super spy’s signature Walther PPK was conspicuously missing from every image. In some cases it had clearly and rather clumsily been Photoshopped out. Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan were left awkwardly holding thin air, in […] - [Apple ends support for Clips video-editing app](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-ends-support-for-clips-video-editing-app/): Apple’s Clips video editing app is no more. It debuted in 2017 as a way to stitch together videos with music, text, and filters with a clear focus on sharing to social media. Over the years Apple added AR features and more advanced video editing tools. But recently updates had slowed to a trickle.  Apple […] - [How Verge readers, and writers, are managing our kids’ screen time](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-verge-readers-and-writers-are-managing-our-kids-screen-time/): This week the Pew Research Center published a study about how parents managed screen time for their kids 12 and under. The results were not particularly surprising (or enlightening, if we’re being honest). A full 90 percent of parents said their children watched TV, and 61 percent said their kids interact with smartphones at least […] - [The AirPods 4 and Lego’s brick-ified Grogu are our favorite deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-airpods-4-and-legos-brick-ified-grogu-are-our-favorite-deals-this-week/): Although Amazon’s fall Prime Day event has come to an end, there are still some lingering discounts available. That means you have yet another chance to pick up an early gift for the holidays, or just something for yourself. Right now, for instance, Apple’s base AirPods 4 are sitting at their lowest price to date, […] - [WIRED Roundup: Are We In An AI Bubble?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-are-we-in-an-ai-bubble/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we talk about one author’s journey to flee the US, social media surveillance, chatbots and the world of AI, and conspiracy theories for an autism cure. - [Meta Tells Its Metaverse Workers to Use AI to ‘Go 5X Faster’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-tells-its-metaverse-workers-to-use-ai-to-go-5x-faster/): Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse chief is urging employees to adopt AI across every workflow as part of a broader shift inside the company. - [Hollywood has no idea what to do about AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hollywood-has-no-idea-what-to-do-about-ai/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. This week, I got an up-close look at how far apart Silicon Valley and Hollywood are on what to do about AI. First, at OpenAI DevDay, Sam Altman presented […] - [OpenAI allegedly sent police to an AI regulation advocate’s door](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-allegedly-sent-police-to-an-ai-regulation-advocates-door/): Will OpenAI send police to your door if you advocate for AI regulation?  Nathan Calvin, a lawyer who shapes policies surrounding the technology at Encode AI, claims OpenAI did just that. “One Tuesday night, as my wife and I sat down for dinner, a sheriff’s deputy knocked on the door to serve me a subpoena […] - [Bose is yanking key features from its SoundTouch speakers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bose-is-yanking-key-features-from-its-soundtouch-speakers/): Bose is discontinuing support for the cloud-based features available on its SoundTouch products on February 18th, 2026. “After February 18, certain features — including access to integrated music services like Spotify and TuneIn, as well as multi-room playback — will no longer be available,” Bose says. That same day, the SoundTouch app will stop working, […] - [The AI Slur ‘Clanker’ Has Become a Cover for Racist TikTok Skits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-slur-clanker-has-become-a-cover-for-racist-tiktok-skits/): The online trend takes a comedic approach to spreading anti-AI messaging, but some creators are using racist references to make their point. - [The Minecraft movie is getting a sequel](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-minecraft-movie-is-getting-a-sequel/): A Minecraft Movie is getting a sequel, and according to a post on X, the new film will debut in theaters on July 23rd, 2027. Jared Hess, who directed the first film, is returning for the second, Deadline reports, but Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t yet said who from the first film’s cast might return.  Building […] - [Ferrari exposes the guts of its upcoming 1000hp EV](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ferrari-exposes-the-guts-of-its-upcoming-1000hp-ev/): The Elettrica’s motor can put out up to 1000 horsepower. | Image: Ferrari Meet the Ferrari Elettrica. Well, meet some of it. The Italian supercar maker lifted the hood on the technology that will power its hotly anticipated first electric vehicle, the Elettrica. At an event at its Maranello headquarters, Ferrari showed reporters the chassis […] - [The Vision Pro is getting its first live ‘immersive’ sports](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-vision-pro-is-getting-its-first-live-immersive-sports/): The Apple Vision Pro is getting new “immersive” content for the upcoming NBA season: a “selection” of live Los Angeles Lakers games that will be available to watch on the headset in the Apple Immersive Video format, Apple announced today. “Vision Pro users will be able to feel the intensity of each game as if […] - [Fans Call on Taylor Swift to ‘Do Better’ After Accusations of Using AI for Promo Videos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/fans-call-on-taylor-swift-to-do-better-after-accusations-of-using-ai-for-promo-videos/): A scavenger hunt campaign to promote Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, resulted in a viral #SwiftiesAgainstAI campaign. - [This Startup Wants to Spark a US DeepSeek Moment](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-startup-wants-to-spark-a-us-deepseek-moment/): With the US falling behind on open source models, one startup has a bold idea for democratizing AI: let anyone run reinforcement learning. - [The 228 best last-minute Prime Day deals you can still grab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-228-best-last-minute-prime-day-deals-you-can-still-grab/): We’re now in the final hours of Amazon’s October Prime Day sale. That means it’s time to squeeze as much value out of your Prime subscription as you can until Thursday at 3AM ET / 12AM PT, which is when several deals will enter a brief hibernation ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although […] - [Prime Day ends soon, but these deals are still going at Walmart](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/prime-day-ends-soon-but-these-deals-are-still-going-at-walmart/): I wasn’t expecting to find a deal on the 7800X3D at Walmart, but I’ll take it. Walmart has proven to be a great place to shop during Amazon’s October Prime Day event, matching the prices on several discounts and marking down many other tech products that we think you’ll like. While Amazon’s event is ending […] - [Alienware’s incredible 27-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor is $200 off](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/alienwares-incredible-27-inch-4k-qd-oled-gaming-monitor-is-200-off/): Nathan’s immaculate desk layout is priceless, but you can obtain a AW2725Q of your own for $700. | Photo: Nathan Edwards / The Verge Amazon is hosting a lot of good deals during October Prime Day, but it can’t compete with Dell when it comes to its sale on the Alienware AW2725Q. The 27-inch 4K […] - [OpenAI Sneezes, and Software Firms Catch a Cold](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-sneezes-and-software-firms-catch-a-cold/): OpenAI revealed last week the custom AI tools it uses internally. The news sent some software companies into turmoil. - [The Future of AI Isn't Just Slop](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-future-of-ai-isnt-just-slop/): Behold Neural Viz, the first great cinematic universe of the AI era. It’s from a guy named Josh. - [You can score up to $750 off robovacs from iRobot, Dreame, and Eufy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-can-score-up-to-750-off-robovacs-from-irobot-dreame-and-eufy-right-now/): Roborock’s Saros Z70 features a built-in robotic arm and is down to its best price yet. Black Friday might bring some of the deepest discounts on tech like robot vacuums, but if you’d like to tidy up before Halloween parties and Thanksgiving guests arrive, Amazon’s fall Prime Day event features plenty of great robot vacuum […] - [The 26 best fall Prime Day deals on AirPods, iPads, and other Apple gear](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-26-best-fall-prime-day-deals-on-airpods-ipads-and-other-apple-gear/): At long last, Amazon’s October Prime Day event has begun — and as expected, it’s packed with a slew of notable Apple deals. If you don’t want to wait until Black Friday to score a discount, the current promo is a great opportunity to save, as Amazon is offering steep discounts on a variety of […] - [The best October Prime Day deals on TVs, soundbars, and more — up to 50% off](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-october-prime-day-deals-on-tvs-soundbars-and-more-up-to-50-off/): LG’s 42-inch C5 OLED TV is on sale for $996.99 ($100 off) at Amazon. The day has finally come for a home theater overhaul. Perhaps you’re looking for a low-cost replacement that offers more features and a sharper design. Or maybe your gaze is set upon massive OLED TVs with all the fixings. Regardless, the […] - [Jony Ive Says He Wants His OpenAI Devices to ‘Make Us Happy’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/jony-ive-says-he-wants-his-openai-devices-to-make-us-happy/): “I don’t think we have an easy relationship with our technology at the moment,” the former Apple designer said at OpenAI’s developer conference in San Francisco on Monday. - [OpenAI Wants ChatGPT to Be Your Future Operating System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-wants-chatgpt-to-be-your-future-operating-system/): At OpenAI’s Developer Day, CEO Sam Altman showed off apps that run entirely inside the chat window—a new effort to turn ChatGPT into a platform. - [OpenAI's Blockbuster AMD Deal Is a Bet on Near-Limitless Demand for AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-blockbuster-amd-deal-is-a-bet-on-near-limitless-demand-for-ai/): OpenAI’s latest move in the race to build massive data centers in the US shows it believes demand for AI will keep surging—even as skeptics warn of a bubble. - [The Supreme Court didn’t save Google from Epic, and now the clock is ticking](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-supreme-court-didnt-save-google-from-epic-and-now-the-clock-is-ticking/): In August, Google had just two weeks to begin cracking open Android, and to stop forcing app developers to use its own payment systems, after Epic Games won its Google lawsuit for the second time. Now, Google has just over two weeks once again — because the US Supreme Court has decided not to save […] - [Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without an online account](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-is-plugging-more-holes-that-let-you-use-windows-11-without-an-online-account/): Microsoft is cracking down on bypass methods that let Windows 11 installs use a local account, and avoid an internet requirement during the setup process. In a new Windows 11 test build released today, Microsoft says it’s removing known workarounds for creating local accounts as they can apparently cause issues during the setup process. “We […] - [Sam Altman says there are no current plans for ads within ChatGPT Pulse — but he’s not ruling it out](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-there-are-no-current-plans-for-ads-within-chatgpt-pulse-but-hes-not-ruling-it-out/): In a Q&A with reporters Monday at OpenAI’s DevDay event in San Francisco, CEO Sam Altman said the recently-launched ChatGPT Pulse was his “favorite feature we’ve launched in a long time,” and he didn’t rule out including ads in the future. Pulse is OpenAI’s latest personalization play for ChatGPT. It allows the chatbot to learn about […] - [Jane Goodall’s death triggered the premiere of Netflix’s new show](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/jane-goodalls-death-triggered-the-premiere-of-netflixs-new-show/): For the last several years Netflix has been quietly banking episodes of a new show called Famous Last Words, interviews with famous people entering their twilight years. The catch is that episodes will only air after the subject passes away. The full list of interviewees is a closely guarded secret, but last week Netflix quietly […] - [If you can get past the terrible logo, Audacity 4 looks pretty great](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/if-you-can-get-past-the-terrible-logo-audacity-4-looks-pretty-great/): The new Audacity logo Rebrands rarely get much love. That backlash can be especially strong if you’re giving a facelift to a decades-old piece of software beloved by nerds around the globe. So, it was no surprise that when Audacity revealed its new logo people on the internet got a little worked up. And look, […] - [Roland is finally honoring its legacy instead of just cashing in on it](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/roland-is-finally-honoring-its-legacy-instead-of-just-cashing-in-on-it/): The Roland TR-1000 rhythm generator. If the only thing Roland ever released was the TR-808, the company would still deserve a place in the music gear hall of fame. The 808 is arguably the most important instrument since the creation of the electric guitar. It’s been a cornerstone of hip-hop, electronic, and pop music for […] - [This week’s best deal is a ‘kids’ Kindle Paperwhite that’s better than the adult version](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-weeks-best-deal-is-a-kids-kindle-paperwhite-thats-better-than-the-adult-version/): Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days may bring some great Kindle deals, but if you can’t wait, you don’t have to. Right now, the Kindle Kids (Amazon, Best Buy, and Target) and Kindle Colorsoft Kids (Amazon, Best Buy, and Target) are down to their lowest prices ever, but my favorite deal is on the Kindle Paperwhite […] - [Daniel Ek stepping down changes nothing for Spotify](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/daniel-ek-stepping-down-changes-nothing-for-spotify/): Spotify has found itself the target of artists’ ire for many reasons over the years: poor audio quality, terrible payouts, giving Joe Rogan millions of dollars… the list goes on. But recently it’s been CEO and founder Daniel Ek’s extracurricular activities that have been cause for consternation. Over the past few months his funding of […] - [Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 and X9 Pro Omni robovacs have hit a new low price](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ecovacs-deebot-x8-and-x9-pro-omni-robovacs-have-hit-a-new-low-price/): The robovac comes with a dock that can refill itself using its built-in water tank. Robot vacuums that mop well rarely come cheap, but thankfully, some of our favorite models are receiving a significant discount ahead of Amazon’s next Prime Day event next week. Right now, the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni and the newer Deebot X9 […] - [Sam Altman Says the GPT-5 Haters Got It All Wrong](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-the-gpt-5-haters-got-it-all-wrong/): OpenAI’s CEO explains that its large language model has been misunderstood—and that he’s changed his attitude to AGI. - [Oregon’s National Guard lawsuit hinges on Trump’s Truth Social posts](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/oregons-national-guard-lawsuit-hinges-on-trumps-truth-social-posts/): After getting off the phone with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Saturday, the president mused over something that had baffled him about the call. Kotek had been “very nice,” said Trump in an interview the next day. But she was trying hard to convince him not to send in the National Guard, and that just […] - [Discord customer service data breach leaks user info and scanned photo IDs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/discord-customer-service-data-breach-leaks-user-info-and-scanned-photo-ids/): One of Discord’s third-party customer service providers was compromised by an “unauthorized party,” the company says. The unauthorized party gained access to “information from a limited number of users who had contacted Discord through our Customer Support and/or Trust & Safety teams” and aimed to “extort a financial ransom from Discord.” The unauthorized party “did […] - [Tales from the AI hiring frenzy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tales-from-the-ai-hiring-frenzy/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. The billboard didn’t say “Listen Labs.” It didn’t say anything about hiring. It consisted of just a plain white background with “https://” and a single line of grouped numbers […] - [I made RSS even better with Obsidian and summaries powered by my local LLM](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-made-rss-even-better-with-obsidian-and-summaries-powered-by-my-local-llm/): RSS is still a great tool for keeping up to date with news, and there are plenty of amazing RSS feeds out there that you can use to track your favorite sites. However, what if I told you that you could make RSS even better with a free, open-source tool, powered by your local large […] - [Apple pulls ICEBlock from the App Store](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-pulls-iceblock-from-the-app-store/): Apple has removed the “Waze but for ICE sightings” app ICEBlock from its App Store, as reported previously by Business Insider. A post from its developer relayed Apple’s App Review message about the ban, saying, “We just received a message from Apple’s App Review that #ICEBlock has been removed from the App Store due to […] - [NBCUniversal’s new YouTube TV deal covers YouTube, Peacock, and a new sports network](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nbcuniversals-new-youtube-tv-deal-covers-youtube-peacock-and-a-new-sports-network/): On Thursday afternoon, after agreeing to a short extension while they continued negotiations, NBCUniversal and YouTube announced a new carriage deal to keep the network’s channels live on the streaming TV service. If the process sounds familiar, it’s because the same thing happened the last time their contract was renewed in 2021. They didn’t reveal […] - [Redbox’s next product may be piracy lawsuits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/redboxs-next-product-may-be-piracy-lawsuits/): There’s a new twist in the long and winding saga of Redbox’s demise: Assets originally belonging to the company’s corporate parent, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, may have finally found a buyer. But don’t expect a resurrection of Redbox’s red kiosks, or Chicken Soup’s Crackle streaming service, any time soon. According to a late […] - [OpenAI’s New Sora App Lets You Deepfake Yourself for Entertainment](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-new-sora-app-lets-you-deepfake-yourself-for-entertainment/): OpenAI’s latest app encourages users to generate a personal digital avatar and scroll AI-generated videos of themselves and their friends. - [Chatbots Play With Your Emotions to Avoid Saying Goodbye](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatbots-play-with-your-emotions-to-avoid-saying-goodbye/): A Harvard Business School study shows that several AI companions use various tricks to keep a conversation from ending. - [Exclusive: Mira Murati’s Stealth AI Lab Launches Its First Product](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/exclusive-mira-muratis-stealth-ai-lab-launches-its-first-product/): Thinking Machines Lab, led by a group of prominent former OpenAI researchers, is betting that fine-tuning cutting-edge models will be the next frontier in AI. - [Trump admin adds banner attacking ‘Radical Left Democrats’ to government websites](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-admin-adds-banner-attacking-radical-left-democrats-to-government-websites/): The Trump administration has put up banners across federal websites blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, and in some cases, blatantly campaigning for President Donald Trump. One banner on the US Department of Agriculture’s site says, “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government,” adding that “President Trump has made it clear he wants to […] - [Apple sidelines lighter Vision Pro to prioritize smart glasses](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-sidelines-lighter-vision-pro-to-prioritize-smart-glasses/): Apple is speeding up work on smart glasses that would compete with similar offerings from Meta and halting plans for a lighter Vision Pro headset, Bloomberg reports. The company is apparently working on at least two different versions: a pair without a display that it could reveal next year and launch in 2027, and a […] - [Amazon says its AI will let NBA fans track brand-new stats](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-says-its-ai-will-let-nba-fans-track-brand-new-stats/): New analysis of basketball players and games is coming to NBA fans live and online this 2025–2026 season thanks to Amazon Web Services’ AI and some seriously detailed movement tracking. The new stats come as part of the rollout of a new basketball intelligence platform called “NBA Inside the Game.” Fans will get more granular […] - [The Real Stakes, and Real Story, of Peter Thiel’s Antichrist Obsession](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-real-stakes-and-real-story-of-peter-thiels-antichrist-obsession/): Thirty years ago, a peace-loving Austrian theologian spoke to Peter Thiel about the apocalyptic theories of Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. They’ve been a road map for the billionaire ever since. - [Google’s Latest AI Ransomware Defense Only Goes So Far](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-latest-ai-ransomware-defense-only-goes-so-far/): Google has launched a new AI-based protection in Drive for desktop that can shut down an attack before it spreads—but its benefits have their limits. - [Anthropic Will Use Claude Chats for Training Data. Here’s How to Opt Out](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-will-use-claude-chats-for-training-data-heres-how-to-opt-out/): Anthropic is starting to train its models on new Claude chats. If you’re using the bot and don’t want your chats used as training data, here’s how to opt out. - [All hail the new Fat Bear Champion](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/all-hail-the-new-fat-bear-champion/): Bear #32, also known as Chunk, has won Fat Bear Week. | Photo: Christine Loberg via National Park Service The votes are in, and the winner of Fat Bear Week 2025 is the indomitable Bear 32, also known as Chunk. The public votes for their favorite brown bear each year in the March Madness-style tournament […] - [Here’s where to preorder all of Amazon’s new Alexa devices and when they arrive](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/heres-where-to-preorder-all-of-amazons-new-alexa-devices-and-when-they-arrive/): Amazon’s fall hardware event had a little of everything: updated Echo speakers, several Blink security devices, and even a Kindle Scribe with a color screen. Most of the gadgets won’t ship for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer; however, most are also available for preorder at Amazon if you want to be […] - [Google is blocking AI searches for Trump and dementia](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-blocking-ai-searches-for-trump-and-dementia/): Google appears to have blocked AI search results for the query “does trump show signs of dementia” as well as other questions about his mental acuity, even though it will show AI results for similar searches about other presidents. When making the search about President Trump, AI Overviews will display a message that says, “An […] - [OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-is-preparing-to-launch-a-social-app-for-ai-generated-videos/): The platform appears to closely resemble TikTok and is powered by Sora 2, OpenAI’s latest video generation model. - [Marissa Mayer Is Dissolving Her Sunshine Startup Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/marissa-mayer-is-dissolving-her-sunshine-startup-lab/): After seven rocky years, the company’s assets will be sold to Dazzle, a new AI firm that Mayer founded. - [Here are 55 great deals you can snag ahead of Amazon’s fall Prime Day event](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-55-great-deals-you-can-snag-ahead-of-amazons-fall-prime-day-event/): Amazon’s Echo Spot is an excellent smart alarm clock that’s currently $30 off. Amazon recently announced that its fall Prime Day sale — once again dubbed Prime Big Deal Days — will kick off on Tuesday, October 7th, and run through October 8th. While you have a few weeks to get your wishlist in order, […] - [YouTube caves to Trump with $24.5 million settlement](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-caves-to-trump-with-24-5-million-settlement/): YouTube has settled a lawsuit President Donald Trump filed against the company in 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump filed sweeping lawsuits against Google-owned YouTube, Meta (then Facebook), and X (then Twitter) after he was suspended from the platforms, and now all three companies have settled with the president. YouTube will pay $24.5 […] - [SB 53, the landmark AI transparency bill, is now law in California](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sb-53-the-landmark-ai-transparency-bill-is-now-law-in-california/): Senate Bill 53, the landmark AI transparency bill that has divided AI companies and made headlines for months, is now officially law in California.  On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act,” which was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-CA). It’s the second draft of such a bill, as […] - [Apple’s ‘Veritas’ chatbot is reportedly an employee-only test of Siri’s AI upgrades](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-veritas-chatbot-is-reportedly-an-employee-only-test-of-siris-ai-upgrades/): Siri’s new logo. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman Apple is testing Siri’s upcoming revamp using an internal chatbot called Veritas. The company’s struggles as it tries to keep pace in the AI race are no secret. The next-gen Siri has been delayed multiple times and the debut of Apple Intelligence was met with a tepid […] - [Larry Ellison’s quest to run the world](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/larry-ellisons-quest-to-run-the-world/): For most of his career Larry Ellison has been content to quietly let Oracle be the company, behind the company, behind the technology that makes headlines. Its biggest products being cloud computing and database products that it sells to enterprise customers like DHL, Northwell Health, and Fanatics. But, now in his 80s, Ellison has begun […] - [Trump posts, then pulls bizarre AI video promoting MedBed conspiracy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-posts-then-pulls-bizarre-ai-video-promoting-medbed-conspiracy/): Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office. Donald Trump is no stranger to outlandish conspiracies or strange social media posts. But, by any measure, his post on Saturday night was particularly bizarre. The president posted (and later removed) a clip on Truth Social of a fake Fox News segment with Lara Trump detailing the White […] - [Zoho Arattai: India’s Homegrown Secure Messaging App](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zoho-arattai-indias-homegrown-secure-messaging-app/): In the last few years, India has seen a rapid rise in demand for secure, reliable, and privacy-focused communication platforms. With global players like WhatsApp and Telegram dominating the instant messaging space, the need for an Indian alternative that prioritizes user data protection has become increasingly important. Enter Zoho Arattai – a messaging app developed […] - [Martin Shkreli can be sued for copying Wu-Tang’s one-of-a-kind record](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/martin-shkreli-can-be-sued-for-copying-wu-tangs-one-of-a-kind-record/): Wu-Tang’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin Disgraced pharma bro, convicted felon, and perennial challenger for America’s Most Hateable Man, Martin Shkreli will have to face a lawsuit for making copies of the Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. US District Judge Pamela Chen issued a decision on Thursday that dismissed some claims […] - [Switch 2 controllers and the OnePlus Watch 3 top our list of the best deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/switch-2-controllers-and-the-oneplus-watch-3-top-our-list-of-the-best-deals-this-week/): Nintendo’s first-party Switch 2 Pro Controller can’t be beaten when it comes to its breadth of features and comfort. But at $89.99, let’s be real, it’s way too expensive for most people. Thankfully, a controller I’ve been testing recently, which is nearly as good despite lacking a 3.5mm audio jack, is currently on sale for […] - [The strangest game of the year is a channel-surfing simulator](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-strangest-game-of-the-year-is-a-channel-surfing-simulator/): It’s not quite October yet, and there are still plenty of video games set to be released before the end of the year. Even still, I’m pretty convinced that Blippo Plus will go down as the strangest release of 2025. Calling it a game might be a bit of a misnomer; it’s more of an […] - [Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-silicon-valley-still-the-tech-capital/): On this special episode of Uncanny Valley recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco, our hosts discuss Silicon Valley’s history and future. - [The Blink security camera app was down, but Amazon rolled out a fix](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-blink-security-camera-app-was-down-but-amazon-rolled-out-a-fix/): The app for Amazon’s Blink security cameras experienced an issue for a few hours Friday night prevented users from accessing their cameras, but Amazon has rolled out a fix, spokesperson Emma Daniels tells The Verge. Users on Amazon’s general Blink support forum and on the Blink Cameras subreddit reported issues accessing the app, with many […] - [Trump’s new target: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-new-target-microsoft-head-of-global-affairs-lisa-monaco/): Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco speaks during an Election Threats Task Force meeting at the Justice Department on September 4, 2024. After successfully manipulating Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and eventually failing to cancel Jimmy Kimmel, President Donald Trump has named his next target for retribution: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco. He’s calling for […] - [Microsoft Photos will soon auto-categorize your pictures](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-photos-will-soon-auto-categorize-your-pictures/): Microsoft is testing a way that will make it easier to sift through all the clutter in your photo library. An update coming to all Windows 11 Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs introduces a new AI-powered feature on the Photos app that will place images of receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes in their […] - [Google’s Conversational Photo Editor Is the Rare AI Feature People Will Actually Use](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-conversational-photo-editor-is-the-rare-ai-feature-people-will-actually-use/): Google’s tool greatly simplifies photo editing; just tell your phone what changes you want in the photo, and it’ll execute them. It also hints at the coming leap in how we interact with computers. - [Meta Poaches OpenAI Scientist to Help Lead AI Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-poaches-openai-scientist-to-help-lead-ai-lab/): Yang Song, who previously led the strategic explorations team at OpenAI, is the new “research principal” of Meta Superintelligence Labs. - [Microsoft and Asus open Xbox Ally preorders — the X costs $999](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-asus-open-xbox-ally-preorders-the-x-costs-999/): Today, Microsoft and Asus are officially opening preorders for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X at $599 and $999 respectively in the US. They’re $799 CAD and $1299 CAD in Canada, €599 and €899 in Europe, £499 and £799 in the UK, and $799 AUD and $1599 AUD in Australia. They both […] - [Hell yeah, I want a Gundam keyboard with Topre switches](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hell-yeah-i-want-a-gundam-keyboard-with-topre-switches/): Japanese keyboard brand Realforce is teaming up with the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise and releasing four limited edition mechanical keyboards inspired by popular Gundam designs. The four keyboards are based on the Z Gundam and Hyaku Shiki from Zeta Gundam and the Nu Gundam and Sazabi of Char’s Counterattack fame. Realforce’s Japanese site indicates reservations […] - [Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser is retiring](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-of-america-boss-doug-bowser-is-retiring/): One of Nintendo’s most recognizable names is stepping down. Today the company announced that the aptly named Doug Bowser, who took over as president of Nintendo of America from Reggie Fils-Aimé in 2019, will be retiring. He’ll stay on until the end of the year — December 31st, to be precise — and will be […] - [This AI-Powered Robot Keeps Going Even if You Attack It With a Chainsaw](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-ai-powered-robot-keeps-going-even-if-you-attack-it-with-a-chainsaw/): A single AI model trained to control numerous robotic bodies can operate unfamiliar hardware and adapt eerily well to serious injuries. - [A Startup Used AI to Make a Psychedelic Without the Trip](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-startup-used-ai-to-make-a-psychedelic-without-the-trip/): Mindstate Design Labs, backed by Silicon Valley power players, has created what its CEO calls “the least psychedelic psychedelic that’s psychoactive.” - [Google just asked the Supreme Court to save it from the Epic ruling](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-just-asked-the-supreme-court-to-save-it-from-the-epic-ruling/): “The Supreme Court is Google’s last hope to avoid an Epic reckoning in October,” I wrote last week. Google apparently agrees. Today, it’s finally elevated its Epic v. Google case, the one that might fracture its control over the entire Android app ecosystem, to the Supreme Court level. Google has now confirmed it will appeal […] - [Nintendo’s new Fire Emblem mobile game has an Among Us-style twist](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendos-new-fire-emblem-mobile-game-has-an-among-us-style-twist/): Nintendo is releasing a new Fire Emblem mobile game, Fire Emblem Shadows. The company says the game is a spinoff of the series and “introduces a new style of battles featuring role-playing and social deduction.” The company’s description of the game indicates that Shadows will have Among Us-like elements of treachery:  One of the three […] - [The best Apple deals to shop ahead of Amazon’s fall Prime Day event](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-apple-deals-to-shop-ahead-of-amazons-fall-prime-day-event/): The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently down to $649, matching its lowest price to date. If the past is any indication, Prime Big Deal Days — Amazon’s upcoming fall Prime Day event — should deliver a wave of deals on Apple devices, letting you save on everything from AirPods and AirTags to the latest […] - [OpenAI Teams Up With Oracle and SoftBank to Build 5 New Stargate Data Centers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-teams-up-with-oracle-and-softbank-to-build-5-new-stargate-data-centers/): The new sites will boost Stargate’s planned capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts—about equal to the output of seven large nuclear reactors. - [Why One VC Thinks Quantum Is a Bigger Unlock Than AGI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-one-vc-thinks-quantum-is-a-bigger-unlock-than-agi/): Venture capitalist Alexa von Tobel is ready to bet on quantum computing—starting with hardware. - [iFixit zooms in on reports of an iPhone 17 Pro scratch problem](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ifixit-zooms-in-on-reports-of-an-iphone-17-pro-scratch-problem/): The iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange. Apple’s new, anodized aluminum iPhone 17 Pro phones have drawn attention for reportedly being easy to scratch around the camera “plateau,” and iFixit has investigated the issue in microscopic detail in its teardown video for the phones. Here are some pictures showing just what those scratches look like […] - [Pokémon lawyers won’t sue DHS for that video, former legal head predicts](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/pokemon-lawyers-wont-sue-dhs-for-that-video-former-legal-head-predicts/): We did not mock up these images; they’re part of the DHS video. | Images: DHS / Pokemon Yesterday afternoon, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a piece of disgusting propaganda that glorifies the concept of a militarized police state forcefully entering people’s homes and businesses and leading them away in handcuffs and […] - [YouTube will let creators who spread covid misinformation back on the site](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-will-let-creators-who-spread-covid-misinformation-back-on-the-site/): Google has announced it will reverse a major content moderation decision: YouTube will offer channels that were banned for spreading covid and election misinformation in 2020 a pathway back onto the platform. In a letter sent to the House Judiciary Committee, Alphabet’s lawyers claimed that the Biden administration had previously “pressed the Company” to remove […] - [Louisiana Hands Meta a Tax Break and Power for Its Biggest Data Center](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/louisiana-hands-meta-a-tax-break-and-power-for-its-biggest-data-center/): Mark Zuckerberg’s company faces backlash after rowing back promises to create between 300 and 500 new jobs to man its subsidiary’s new data center. - [I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley. I Was Wrong](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-thought-i-knew-silicon-valley-i-was-wrong/): Tech got what it wanted by electing Trump. A year later, it looks more like a suicide pact. - [Palworld is getting a farming spinoff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/palworld-is-getting-a-farming-spinoff/): A screenshot of Palworld: Palfarm. Palworld won’t hit 1.0 until next year, but developer Pocketpair is already announcing a farming spinoff: Palworld: Palfarm. Basically, it sounds like the Palworld version of farming simulator games like Stardew Valley. “Each Pal will lend a hand in farm work by making use of their unique abilities,” Pocketpair says […] - [Trump escalates crackdown by designating ‘Antifa’ a domestic terror group](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-escalates-crackdown-by-designating-antifa-a-domestic-terror-group/): The Trump administration’s crackdown on perceived left-wing threats following the death of Charlie Kirk continued on Monday evening, with Donald Trump announcing an executive order titled “Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization.” The order directs federal departments and agencies to “investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist […] - [The AI-energy apocalypse might be a little overblown](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-energy-apocalypse-might-be-a-little-overblown/): People walk through the hallways at an Equinix data center in Ashburn, Virginia, on May 9, 2024. | Photo: Getty Images Even if AI turns out not to be as much of an energy hog as people are making it out to be, it could still spell out trouble for power grids across the US. […] - [The foldable iPhone might look like two iPhone Airs stuck together](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-foldable-iphone-might-look-like-two-iphone-airs-stuck-together/): While it seems like a foregone conclusion that there will be a foldable iPhone, possibly late next year, there hasn’t been much info about what it would look like. In the latest installment of his Power On newsletter Mark Gurman says he’s being told it will look more or less like two iPhone Airs stuck […] - [The touchscreen MacBook rumors are never ending](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-touchscreen-macbook-rumors-are-never-ending/): Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo took to X on Wednesday to claim that a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen was expected to enter mass production by late 2026. Today Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is following up to remind us that he was reporting on a touchscreen MacBook Pro way back in 2023. He confirmed Kuo’s timeline was […] - [Montblanc is getting into the digital notepad game](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/montblanc-is-getting-into-the-digital-notepad-game/): If you’re the kind of person who owns leather driving gloves in multiple colors to match your different Jaguars, then there hasn’t been a digital paper option that could live up to your lofty luxury standards until now. But Montblanc is finally delivering a truly bougie take on the e-ink writing tablet. The $905 Montblanc […] - [Big Tech Dreams of Putting Data Centers in Space](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/big-tech-dreams-of-putting-data-centers-in-space/): A sci-fi idea is gaining supporters, from billionaires to city councils. Whether it’s feasible is another matter. - [God's Eye: BYD's latest ADAS System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gods-eye-byds-latest-adas-system/): BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently unveiled its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) known as “God’s Eye.” This innovative system aims to democratize smart driving technology by making it standard across a wide range of BYD models, including budget-friendly options like the Seagull hatchback. By integrating “God’s Eye” into its vehicles, BYD seeks […] - [Framework Unveils New Modular Laptops and Desktop PC for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/framework-unveils-new-modular-laptops-and-desktop-pc-for-2025/): Framework has launched three innovative products: the Framework Laptop 12, a compact convertible; the upgraded Framework Laptop 13, featuring improved performance and modularity; and its first-ever Framework Desktop PC. Emphasizing sustainability and user empowerment, each device promotes repairability, reducing electronic waste while delivering high performance and customization options for users. - [NASA and Nokia Partner to Build the First Cellular Network on the Moon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nasa-and-nokia-partner-to-build-the-first-cellular-network-on-the-moon/): In a groundbreaking venture that bridges cutting-edge telecommunications and space exploration, Nokia and NASA have embarked on a mission to establish the first cellular network on the Moon. This ambitious project is not just about deploying technology—it’s about enabling a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By leveraging LTE/4G technology, the partnership aims to […] - [iPhone 16e: The affordable iPhone, Really?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/iphone-16e-the-affordable-iphone-really/): Apple has launched the iPhone 16e in India as a budget-friendly option within the iPhone 16 series, starting at ₹59,900. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, A18 chip, and 48MP camera. While it offers good performance, consumers may consider other models for additional features. Pre-orders start February 21, 2025. - [Microsoft's Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: The Majorana 1 Chip](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-breakthrough-in-quantum-computing-the-majorana-1-chip/): Microsoft has announced a significant milestone in quantum computing with the introduction of the Majorana 1 chip. This innovation marks a leap forward in the development of practical quantum computers, leveraging a novel Topological Core architecture based on Majorana quasiparticles. This new approach promises to accelerate the transition from theoretical quantum systems to scalable, real-world […] - [Stellantis and Mistral AI Team Up to Revolutionize Automotive Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/stellantis-and-mistral-ai-team-up-to-revolutionize-automotive-technology/): The partnership between Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automakers, and Mistral AI, a cutting-edge French artificial intelligence firm, represents a significant turning point in the integration of advanced technology within the automotive industry. This strategic collaboration not only promises to enhance in-car experiences but also revolutionize vehicle engineering, manufacturing processes, and internal operations. With […] - [Delivering Humans under 10 Min: Topmate.io](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/delivering-humans-under-10-min-topmate-io/): In an era where instant gratification is the norm, a groundbreaking Indian startup, Topmate.io, has taken the concept of rapid delivery to an unprecedented level. While services like Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart have set benchmarks by delivering groceries in under 10 minutes, Topmate.io has upped the ante by promising to “deliver” human expertise within the […] - [Zomato's Rebranding](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zomatos-rebranding/): In a strategic move to reflect its diversified business operations, Zomato Limited has announced a rebranding of its parent company to “Eternal Limited.” This change, approved by the company’s board of directors, signifies Zomato’s evolution beyond its core food delivery services. Expansion into Multiple Verticals Eternal Limited will encompass four primary business segments: This rebranding […] - [DeepSeek: Transforming the AI Landscape](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deepseek-transforming-the-ai-landscape/): Introduction In the realm of artificial intelligence, the entry of new players can dramatically shift the balance of power. This is especially true when a startup not only matches but also challenges the capabilities of some of the industry’s most well-funded entities. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup founded in 2023, is one such disruptor. Its […] - [THe 500 Billion Dollar Project: Stargate Project](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-500-billion-dollar-project-stargate-project/): In a landmark move to solidify the United States’ position at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) development, leading technology firms have announced a monumental investment in AI infrastructure. On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the “Stargate Project,” a collaborative venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank Group, Oracle, and MGX, aiming to invest up to […] - [Sneak Peek into the unrealeased Creality CFS Upgrade Kit for K1 Series](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sneak-peek-into-the-unrealeased-creality-cfs-upgrade-kit-for-k1-series/): Creality enthusiasts, rejoice! A buzz is building around the CFS Upgrade Kit for Creality’s K1 series printers. While this product hasn’t been officially launched yet, some online platforms are already listing the kit, and an unlisted video—presumably from Creality itself—has surfaced, providing a tantalizing glimpse into what might be one of the most exciting upgrades […] - [Creality Hi Combo: A New Era in 3D Printing Innovation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/creality-hi-combo-a-new-era-in-3d-printing-innovation/): The 3D printing industry is buzzing with excitement as Creality, a leading name in the world of additive manufacturing, unveils its latest product—the Creality Hi Combo. This revolutionary device is set to redefine 3D printing, combining unparalleled efficiency, versatility, and user-friendly features that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Specifications The Creality Hi Combo […] - [Apple Eavesdropping Case: A Deep Dive into Privacy Concerns](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-eavesdropping-case-a-deep-dive-into-privacy-concerns/): In an age dominated by smart devices and interconnected ecosystems, the line between convenience and privacy is thinner than ever. Apple, a tech giant known for championing user privacy, found itself embroiled in controversy over an alleged eavesdropping case. This incident has sparked widespread discussions about the trustworthiness of smart devices and the companies that […] - [Mouse Without Borders: The Ultimate Productivity Tool in Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mouse-without-borders-the-ultimate-productivity-tool-in-windows-powertoys/): Imagine seamlessly controlling multiple computers with just one keyboard and mouse—no need for extra hardware or cables cluttering your desk. That’s exactly what the Mouse Without Borders feature in Windows PowerToys offers. Designed for users juggling multiple PCs, this innovative tool ensures a streamlined workflow and enhanced productivity. What is Mouse Without Borders? Mouse Without […] - [Samsung Wall-E !!! Sorry Ballie](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-wall-e-sorry-ballie/): Imagine having a tiny, rolling robot that’s more than just a gadget — your companion, helper, and little home assistant. Meet Samsung Ballie, the cutest thing to roll out of CES 2020. This little guy is packed with smarts, charm, and enough tech wizardry to make your life smoother, more connected, and a lot more […] - [NVIDIA at CES 2025: Shaping the Future of AI, Gaming, and Robotics](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nvidia-at-ces-2025-shaping-the-future-of-ai-gaming-and-robotics/): The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas served as a platform for NVIDIA to showcase transformative advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, robotics, and automotive technology. The company’s announcements solidified its position as a global leader in innovation, with groundbreaking products and partnerships that aim to redefine the technological landscape. NVIDIA CEO Jensen […] - [The Honey Trap: The Honey Scam](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-honey-trap-the-honey-scam/): The digital world is no stranger to controversy, but when it involves a tool loved by millions of online shoppers, the stakes get even higher. Honey, the popular browser extension once lauded for making online shopping more affordable, has recently been under fire. What started as a clever idea for saving money has now become […] - [UPS for Your WiFi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/ups-for-your-wifi/): If you have a home network that relies on WiFi, you might want to consider getting a WiFi UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to protect your devices and data from power outages. A WiFi UPS is a device that plugs into your router and provides backup power in case of a power failure. It can also […] - [Logitech K380 Keyboard](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2023/logitech-k380-keyboard/): If you are looking for a portable wireless keyboard that can connect to multiple devices and offer a comfortable typing experience, you might want to consider the Logitech K380 keyboard. This keyboard is compact, lightweight, and versatile, and it can work with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and even Apple TV. In this blog […] - [Dear OnePlus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/dear-oneplus/): I have not used this platform to say anything negative about products but in this article, I am going to express my personal disappointment. Your experience may vary greatly. This could sound harsh and direct as I have not minced my words by using feel-good words. First of all, I’ll give you some context about […] - [Google Storage Cleanup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/google-storage-cleanup/):  When Google announced the end of its unlimited photos storage everyone felt that someone near and dear to them had betrayed them. While the inevitable is going to happen one day we can at least delay it and avoid the expense of the privilege of the seamless backup experience. Although most of us are not […] - [Crucial Tool for RAM Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/crucial-tool-for-ram-upgrade/): I have seen many comments on my RAM upgrade videos asking if their laptops are upgradable and how much ram is supported or if the storage is supported or not. Today we will take a look at a tool by Crucial which will help you to see how much ram and storage is supported by […] - [Laptop SSD Upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/laptop-ssd-upgrade/): Today we are upgrading the SSD of my Lenovo IdeaPad gaming laptop. It came with a 128GB M.2 SSD as the boot drive(C drive) which is very small by today’s standards. Even phones come with more storage nowadays. So first we will start with the backup of the data in the C drive. Remember we […] - [Microsoft Edge is testing a modern RSS feed that lets you follow YouTube creators](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2022/microsoft-edge-is-testing-a-modern-rss-feed-that-lets-you-follow-youtube-creators/): In the era of Influencers, vloggers, and content creators, every new method to follow our favorite online celebrities matters. The newest addition comes from Microsoft, through its Edge web browser. The latest Canary builds include a new “Followable Web” feature — on Windows at least. It allows users to easily follow select YouTube content creators […] - [Google Chrome will soon let you follow your favorite websites](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/google-chrome-will-soon-let-you-follow-your-favorite-websites/): Google Chrome is the most popular browser out there, be it PC or mobile. And being a market leader, it’s always looking to stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with new ideas and features. These new experiments don’t land directly on the stable version of Google Chrome. Rather, they first appear on the Google […] - [gReader ends a 4 year hiatus with a new update on Play Store](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2021/greader-ends-a-4-year-hiatus-with-a-new-update-on-play-store/): gReader, a popular RSS reader app, is receiving a new update on Google Play Store as the app marks an official return after a near 4 year hiatus. The v4.0.3 was the last update to the app and that was rolled out all the way back in March 2017. - [Best Amazon Great Indian Festival Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/best-amazon-great-indian-festival-deals/): SmartPhones Samsung Galaxy A51(₹2500 discount): https://amzn.to/3dyspZr Samsung Galaxy M01 Core (₹4,999/-):https://amzn.to/3566cOz  Samsung Galaxy M31 (₹ 15,499/-): https://amzn.to/3566ipp OnePlus 8 (start at ₹39,999/-): https://amzn.to/3m7x1ZN Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (₹ 49,999/-): https://amzn.to/37gzHA2 Samsung Galaxy M31 (3 months prime membership free ₹ 16,499/-): https://amzn.to/3dH4A1K Laptops Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5 (₹ 55,990/-): https://amzn.to/356hzpB HP Pavilion Gaming DK0268TX (₹62,990): https://amzn.to/2T4naaA ASUS VivoBook 14 Intel Core i5 (₹50,990): https://amzn.to/31eKYwR Lenovo […] - [PC Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/pc-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my windows computer. Task Manager Startup: The most basic way to speed up the startup time of a system is to disable the unnecessary startup software from the task manager. Open the task manager by right-clicking the taskbar. Then […] - [Amazon Prime Day Deals](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2020/amazon-prime-day-deals/):   SanDisk 128GB Extreme Pro SDXC UHS-I Card – C10, U3, V30, 4K UHD, SD Card – SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN Brand Conquer Card Reader USB 30 All-in-1 USB 30USB CMicro Portronics Q-Charger Portable Universal Charging Hub with a QC 3.0 and 3 5V USB Ports and a Mobile Docking Station, Black BenQ 28-inch UHD 4K HDR JBL […] - [Ultimate Laptop Processor Guide (Intel)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/ultimate-laptop-processor-guide-intel/): The most important part we spend the most time in selecting while buying a new laptop is the processor and we are not wrong. The naming of most processors is at the very least confusing. In this post, we will see the naming scheme of Intel laptop processors. There is a lot more to a […] - [Best Headphones for lockdown](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-headphones-for-lockdown/): The most important thing that gained attention and popularity in lockdown is video conferencing, video calling. The most important thing for video calling is a good pair of headphones to wear all day and cope up with the stress of being connected all day. The best kind of headphones for this purpose is gaming headphones […] - [Become the Power User || Windows PowerToys](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/become-the-power-user-windows-powertoys/): Windows Power Toys is a windows utility tool that is developed by windows for power users which gives enhanced utility options that are not necessarily useful for normal users. The source code is available on GitHub here. This tool increases productivity by some features like fancy zones, image resizer in explorer, powerful renaming tool, keyboard […] - [The most powerful tool of your PC || Windows Task Manager](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-most-powerful-tool-of-your-pc-windows-task-manager/): Last month the developer of the windows task manager shared his story about task manager in his days at Microsoft. You can read it here. In this post, we’ll see the power of task manager and its uses to make you a power user. Usually, we open it when a software does not work properly […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Premium Midrange and Premium Samsung Phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-premium-midrange-and-premium-samsung-phone/): In this series of “If not Chinese then what?” today we are going to see the premium devices from Samsung and some underrated phones which are more value for money and compare directly to the flagships. Samsung has been experimenting with the A-series of its devices. The A80 is a phone that had the flip […] - [If Not Chinese Then What ? Mobile Alternatives || Midrange Budget Samsung](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/if-not-chinese-then-what-mobile-alternatives-midrange-budget-samsung/): With the trend going on in India about banning the Chinese products I thought of compiling the non-Chinese brands which compete directly with the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.  In this post, I will be focusing on Android and mostly on Samsung as being a reputable brand and its devices are also available in […] - [Connect LCD Display to Arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/connect-lcd-display-to-arduino/): Connecting LCD to Arduino to display various things is fun if you know how to. It is very simple just follow the simple steps. Gather the things necessary to do so like Arduino (mega 2560 for example), LCD display(16×2), Jumper Wires, Potentiometers (1k/10k). Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram. I this example […] - [Using HC-SR04 (Ultrasonic sensor) with arduino](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/using-hc-sr04-ultrasonic-sensor-with-arduino/): HC-SR04 is an ultrasonic sensor which works on the principle of ultrasonic waves. Basically it creates a pulse depending on the distance from the sensor. It has two eyes like structure one of which transmits the waves and the other acts as receiver. The sensor has 4 pins VCC, TRIG, ECHO, GND. When the sensor is […] - [OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/oneplus-bullets-wireless-z/): The new OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z have launched silently and have created quite the noise. The design is the same as that of the bullets wireless 2 which was much appreciated for the comfort for the more rounded off design. All the much-appreciated features are present too like the warp charge which provides the 10 […] - [Best Alternatives to iPhone SE](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-alternatives-to-iphone-se/): iPhone recently launched the iPhone SE and the major attention that it has gotten is from the western audience primarily due to the face that the phone costs a mere $400. Although the phone seems to be a perfect fit for the western market, it has major competition in the Asian market due to the […] - [The New Microsoft Surface lineup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/the-new-microsoft-surface-lineup/): Amid the pandemic and mass lockdown Microsoft has digitally announced the update to the Surface Book, Surface Go, Surface Headphones and the Surface Earbuds. Surface Book 3 The Surface Book with the touch display and the 3:2 aspect ratio is considered to be a productivity machine. The specs also agree with the claims. It is […] - [How Practical is iPhone SE in India](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/how-practical-is-iphone-se-in-india/): First of all, let’s go through the departments where the iPhone SE shines. Performance: With the A13 and 3GB RAM it is the most powerful phone as the A13 is the latest and greatest chipset as it is even better than the Snapdragon 865. The optimized iPhone apps even outperform the android counterpart even with […] - [Best Android Phone Tips and Tricks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-android-phone-tips-and-tricks/): Today I am going to tell you some of the tips and tricks I use on my phone. I am using a mi a1 for this. It is a fairly old device with 4gb of ram. Recently I realized that the ram management is getting worse day by day and especially during payments the page […] - [Best iPad Setup](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-ipad-setup/): With the new iPadOS and the mouse support the iPad is becoming more of a portable laptop and an artists paradise. The iPad can never be a full-fledged computer but the iPadOS with mouse/track-pad support has perfectly bridged the gap between a mobile and a computer. People requiring large screen and a keyboard will find […] - [Best upgrade for your slow laptop || Laptop SSD upgrade || RAM upgrade](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-upgrade-for-your-slow-laptop-laptop-ssd-upgrade-ram-upgrade/):           Most of the new laptop nowadays come with SSD installed. SSD is Solid State Storage which is much faster than the traditional optical Hard Disk Drive. Even the entry-level SSD like the WD Green has Read speeds of 545 Mb/s which is very fast.        The old laptops […] - [Best Mobile Browsing Experience (Chrome Flags)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2020/best-mobile-browsing-experience-chrome-flags/): Chrome has some interesting features in testing which are hidden in the flags section which you can access by typing this URL in the address bar. Although these features are experimental they work 99% of the time. Today I am going to share some of these flags which I find useful. 1. An ephemeral tab […] - [OnePlus 7 Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/oneplus-7-pro/): OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 7 Pro and it is truly a pro. Let’s take a look as to what makes it a pro. Firstly the display upgrade is huge with the resolution of 1440p making the pixel density of 516ppi and a refresh rate of 90Hz the screen is sharp and smooth as an […] - [Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/google-pixel-3a-and-3a-xl/): Google held its Google i/o event and introduced a lot of software and hardware improvements and its future plans. The main introduction in the hardware sector was the introduction of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. With this google is trying to reach out to the budget sector and more accessibility of the latest software to […] - [Minimize YouTube App (YouTube Vanced)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/minimize-youtube-app-youtube-vanced/): Sometimes while watching a video on youtube you get a message and when you tap on it to reply the video stops and you get furious as to why it stopped and then the realization kick in that it not a player by the youtube app. Natively youtube does not allow background play or picture-in-picture […] - [Gesture navigation like iPhone on any phone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/gesture-navigation-like-iphone-on-any-phone/): The recent trend in smartphone technology is to minimize the bezzles and stretch the displays as far to the edges as possible. Companies are doing crazy things like notches, holes in displays and also pop up cameras. But this has resulted to the displays getting bigger rather than shrinking the form factor or the phone […] - [Where is OnePlus heading?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/where-is-oneplus-heading/): OnePlus has been teasing the OnePlus 7 recently with a launch date of 14 May.  Today OnePlus released a video captioned “Waterproof ratings for phones cost you money. We just bought a bucket.” This clearly states that the new OnePlus 7 series will not have any kind of waterproof ratings but they will be waterproof. […] - [There's a Spark in Android - Spark Email](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/theres-a-spark-in-android-spark-email/): April 2 marked a special day when Google officially shut down Google+ and Inbox. While one email client went down one emerged. The famous Spark mail which was on iPhones and mac for quite a while came to the Android. It has been a month now and it has already seen 100k+ downloads. User Interface […] - [Adobe Rush on Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2019/adobe-rush-on-android/): Adobe has dominated the creative industry for quite a while now. Recently the creative has seen a shift from large scale movie and professional format to the short format and faster output. Youtube and Instagram is the home of this type of content. Rather than the content, in recent times there is been a surge […] - [File managers for Android](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2017/file-managers-for-android/):      There are a plethora of file managers for Android on Google play store, which makes choosing very difficult. While most of them perform the basic tasks some of them have more to offer. So we will try to make things easier by discussing some of the popular and free file managers. Files Go […] - [How Supercomputing Will Evolve, According to Jack Dongarra](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-supercomputing-will-evolve-according-to-jack-dongarra/): WIRED talked with one of the most influential voices in computer science about the potential for AI and quantum to supercharge supercomputers. - [Google is rolling out a fix for Pixel back button issues](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-rolling-out-a-fix-for-pixel-back-button-issues/): Google’s August Pixel update includes a fix for Android’s three-button navigation and gesture navigation systems becoming unresponsive. The issues appear to have started popping up shortly after the official release of Android 16 in June. Ever since that update, the user said that navigation has been “a complete mess” and that they ran into issues […] - [A Hiker Was Missing for Nearly a Year—Until an AI System Recognized His Helmet](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-hiker-was-missing-for-nearly-a-year-until-an-ai-system-recognized-his-helmet/): Using AI to analyze thousands of frames taken by drone, The Piedmontese Alpine Rescue team has found the body of a doctor who had been missing since September 2024. - [Brendan Carr declares victory over the First Amendment](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/brendan-carr-declares-victory-over-the-first-amendment/): On Monday, the Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint against Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. The filing, sent to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at the DC Court of Appeals, alleges that Carr had repeatedly broken basic principles of conduct as a licensed attorney, including by leveraging his power to control media […] - [Nintendo raises the Switch 1 price from $299 to $339](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-raises-the-switch-1-price-from-299-to-339/): The original Nintendo Switch, which has cost $299.99 in the US since its release in 2017, is now priced at $339.99 on Nintendo’s online store. Other first-gen Switch models are now more expensive, too, with the Switch OLED going from $349.99 to $399.99, and the Switch Lite increasing from $199.99 to $229.99. Nintendo said on […] - [Lenovo’s rollable laptop is the coolest computer I’ve used all year](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lenovos-rollable-laptop-is-the-coolest-computer-ive-used-all-year/): Push a button and get more screen. | GIF by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Part of me still can’t believe it, but Lenovo did the thing: it took a bonkers concept for a laptop with a rollable screen and built the tech into something you can actually own and use like a normal […] - [Today I’m toying with](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/today-im-toying-with/): The simple joy of gadgets — that’s what “Today I’m Toying With” is all about. It’s our video series where we try to encapsulate that joy of playing with technology, sharing what it’s like to experience gadgets that not all of us get to touch! Like a 3D printer that prints delicious chocolate, or the […] - [Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 just came out and you can already save $50](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-galaxy-watch-8-just-came-out-and-you-can-already-save-50/): The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Smartwatch is on sale starting at $299.99 ($50 off). If you’re looking to upgrade an older Android smartwatch, or want to give wearables a try for the first time, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is a compelling choice. It has a new design, lets you access Google’s Gemini AI from your […] - [The enforcer that could break up Apple and Google is facing upheaval](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-enforcer-that-could-break-up-apple-and-google-is-facing-upheaval/): The sudden firing of two high-ranking antitrust officials this week is signaling upheaval at an agency responsible for arguing some of the biggest tech monopoly cases in decades. Two top deputies to Department of Justice Antitrust Division chief Gail Slater were fired earlier this week for what a DOJ official would only explain as “insubordination” […] - [Anthropic Revokes OpenAI's Access to Claude](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-revokes-openais-access-to-claude/): OpenAI lost access to the Claude API this week after Anthropic claimed the company was violating its terms of service. - [WIRED Roundup: ChatGPT Goes Full Demon Mode](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-chatgpt-goes-full-demon-mode/): On today’s episode of Uncanny Valley, our senior business editor joins us to talk Meta, brain aging, and ChatGPT’s recent dark turn. - [Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Forgotten AI Summit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-jeffrey-epsteins-forgotten-ai-summit/): Long before ChatGPT, a group of AI luminaries gathered on an island to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. Their funder ultimately cast a shadow on all who attended. - [Zuckerberg’s ‘personal superintelligence’ plan: fill your free time with more AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zuckerbergs-personal-superintelligence-plan-fill-your-free-time-with-more-ai/): It has been another busy week. GPT-5 appears to be just around the corner… This week, I decode the meaning behind Mark Zuckerberg’s “personal superintelligence” manifesto, and what it means for the broader AI race. Keep reading for my chat with a Figma exec on the company’s IPO day, a bunch of good links, and […] - [Delta’s dynamic AI pricing plan sounds different now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deltas-dynamic-ai-pricing-plan-sounds-different-now/): Delta Air Lines is explaining more about its AI-assisted dynamic pricing model after coming under scrutiny for recent comments about the pricing. In November, Delta president Glen Hauenstein said at an investor day that “we will have a price that’s available on that flight, on that time, to you, the individual.” However, responding to questions […] - [Tim Cook says Apple ‘must’ figure out AI and ‘will make the investment to do it’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-apple-must-figure-out-ai-and-will-make-the-investment-to-do-it/): Apple CEO Tim Cook boasted about the potential of AI and the company’s approach to developing it in a rare all-hands today that was reported on by Bloomberg. Apple has been slow to roll out some of its AI features and has stumbled with a planned AI-powered upgrade to Siri, which it delayed earlier this […] - [Inside the Summit Where China Pitched Its AI Agenda to the World](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-summit-where-china-pitched-its-ai-agenda-to-the-world/): Behind closed doors, Chinese researchers are laying the groundwork for a new global AI agenda—without input from the US. - [Join Us for WIRED’s AI Power Summit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-us-for-wireds-ai-power-summit/): On September 15, WIRED is gathering a panel of leaders across technology, politics, and media to tell you everything you need to know about the future of generative AI. - [Apple shipped its 3 billionth iPhone](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-shipped-its-3-billionth-iphone/): Tim Cook sure knows how to sell an iPhone. Apple has been the target of a fair amount of criticism over the past year, from its AI missteps to a strong distaste for its new design ethos. But the numbers don’t lie, and if Apple knows how to do anything it’s sell iPhones. Specifically, three […] - [Apple says Trump’s tariffs are adding another $1 billion to its costs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-says-trumps-tariffs-are-adding-another-1-billion-to-its-costs/): Apple is spending a lot on President Donald Trump’s tariffs. During an earnings call on Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the duties could add $1.1 billion to its costs during the September quarter. Cook says Apple has already spent around $800 million during the June quarter, which is less than the $900 million that […] - [Tim Cook says Apple is ‘open to’ AI acquisitions](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-apple-is-open-to-ai-acquisitions/): Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company is “open” to mergers and acquisitions as it “significantly” increases its investment in AI, as reported by CNBC. Cook’s statements were made alongside the release of Apple’s third-quarter earnings results, which revealed that the iPhone maker raked in $94 billion between April and June, marking a 10 percent […] - [Mark Zuckerberg Details Meta’s Plan for Self-Improving, Superintelligent AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mark-zuckerberg-details-metas-plan-for-self-improving-superintelligent-ai/): Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors that his new research lab will focus on building AI models that can learn with minimal human input. - [Google’s Newest AI Model Acts like a Satellite to Track Climate Change](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-newest-ai-model-acts-like-a-satellite-to-track-climate-change/): Part of Google Earth Engine, AlphaEarth Foundations is a chip off Google’s DeepMind AI block—and it’s here to help save the world. - [I Watched AI Agents Try to Hack My Vibe-Coded Website](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-watched-ai-agents-try-to-hack-my-vibe-coded-website/): RunSybil, a startup founded by OpenAI’s first security researcher, deploys agents that probe websites for vulnerabilities—part of a new AI era for cybersecurity. - [Meta is playing the AI game with house money](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-is-playing-the-ai-game-with-house-money/): Mark Zuckerberg’s AI hiring spree is costing a lot of money. His investors don’t care. Meta’s stock price shot up over 10 percent on Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected earnings. Revenue generated in the second quarter was $47.5 billion, up 22 percent from a year ago. Daily users across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp […] - [All of your international packages are about to get more expensive](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/all-of-your-international-packages-are-about-to-get-more-expensive/): President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that will suspend the de minimis exemption — which allows packages with goods valued less than $800 to enter the US duty-free — for all countries. Earlier this year, Trump ended the de minimis exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong. The White House says […] - [Spotify’s terrible privacy settings just leaked Palmer Luckey’s bops and bangers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/spotifys-terrible-privacy-settings-just-leaked-palmer-luckeys-bops-and-bangers/): Have you ever wondered what bops powerful figures are listening to on Spotify? You’d be amazed what you can get with a profile search – but just in case you want them all in one place, there’s the Panama Playlists, a newly published collection of data on the musical listening habits of politicians, journalists, and […] - [ChatGPT’s Study Mode Is Here. It Won’t Fix Education’s AI Problems](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatgpts-study-mode-is-here-it-wont-fix-educations-ai-problems/): OpenAI’s new study mode for ChatGPT throws questions back at students, but the learning feature doesn’t address generative AI’s underlying disruption of education. - [Big Tech Asked for Looser Clean Water Act Permitting. Trump Wants to Give It to Them](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/big-tech-asked-for-looser-clean-water-act-permitting-trump-wants-to-give-it-to-them/): New AI regulations suggested by the White House mirror changes to environmental permitting suggested by Meta and a lobbying group representing firms like Google and Amazon Web Services. - [Meta’s AI Recruiting Campaign Finds a New Target](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-ai-recruiting-campaign-finds-a-new-target/): Meta approached more than a dozen staffers at Mira Murati’s AI startup to discuss joining its new superintelligence lab. One received an offer for more than $1 billion. - [YouTube tells creators they can drop more F-bombs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-tells-creators-they-can-drop-more-f-bombs/): YouTube videos with strong profanity in the first seven seconds (words like “fuck”) are now eligible for full monetization, according to a video from Conor Kavanagh, YouTube’s head of monetization policy experience. Previously, these kinds of videos were only eligible for “limited ad revenue.”   Changes to YouTube’s inappropriate language policies have long been a sore […] - [Lovense was told its sex toy app leaked users’ emails and didn’t fix it](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lovense-was-told-its-sex-toy-app-leaked-users-emails-and-didnt-fix-it/): Lovense, the maker of internet-connected sex toys, left user emails exposed for months — even after it became aware of the vulnerability. In a blog post spotted by TechCrunch and Bleeping Computer, security researcher BobDaHacker found that they could “turn any username into their email address,” which they could then use to take over someone’s […] - [LG’s StanbyMe 2 is an unquestionably cool TV at a questionably high price](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lgs-stanbyme-2-is-an-unquestionably-cool-tv-at-a-questionably-high-price/): The StanbyMe 2 becomes the SitbyMe 2 once you detach it from the rolling stand. | Image: LG LG’s StanbyMe 2 has all the ingredients of a good follow-up gadget: the 27-inch display is 1440p instead of 1080p, and instead of being trapped on its rollable stand, the screen is detachable for you to use […] - [Is Silicon Valley Losing Its Influence on DC?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-silicon-valley-losing-its-influence-on-dc/): This episode of Uncanny Valley covers black holes, woke AI, and the relationship between Silicon Valley billionaires and the Trump Administration. - [Seriously, Why Do Some AI Chatbot Subscriptions Cost More Than $200?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/seriously-why-do-some-ai-chatbot-subscriptions-cost-more-than-200/): The price of expensive chatbot subscriptions is driven by vibes—not immediate profitability for AI companies. - [The controversial legal tactic The Trump Organization is using to take down fake merch](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-controversial-legal-tactic-the-trump-organization-is-using-to-take-down-fake-merch/): Unauthorized merch promoting Donald Trump – from hats and mugs to signs and T-shirts – is everywhere online. Go to a Trump rally or other MAGA political event and you’re bound to find people hawking their DIY Trump wares. The Trump Organization apparently isn’t too pleased. A lawsuit filed last week claims online sellers on […] - [Samsung’s One UI 8 might shut down bootloader unlocking on Galaxy phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-one-ui-8-might-shut-down-bootloader-unlocking-on-galaxy-phones/): The Galaxy Z Fold 7 ships with One UI 8. Samsung’s One UI 8 update seems to prevent users from unlocking their device’s bootloader to load custom ROMs, as spotted earlier by SammyGuru. Over the weekend, users on the XDA Developers forum noticed that Samsung appears to have disabled the option on devices in regions […] - [Sony calls Tencent game ‘slavish clone’ of Horizon in new lawsuit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sony-calls-tencent-game-slavish-clone-of-horizon-in-new-lawsuit/): A screenshot from Light of Motiram. Sony is suing Tencent to attempt to stop the release of Light of Motiram, which Sony describes as a “slavish clone” of its Horizon series of games, as reported by Reuters. Light of Motiram was announced last year with a trailer featuring an aesthetic that’s quite similar to the […] - [The Fujifilm X-E5 proves familiar isn’t always a bad thing ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fujifilm-x-e5-proves-familiar-isnt-always-a-bad-thing/): The Fujifilm X-E5 has a familiar but gorgeous new look. The X-E5 is Fujifilm’s tiny powerhouse. It’s part of a line of cameras that has often been described as similar to the X100, except with an interchangeable lens. But the X-E line has evolved this year and is taking on a new shape. It used […] - [The Verge’s 2025 back-to-school shopping guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-verges-2025-back-to-school-shopping-guide/): Back-to-school season is closer than you might realize, especially for college students, many of whom are set to return to campus in a matter of a few short weeks. And while school can be a challenging time on many fronts, regardless of the grade, there are tools that can help you better prepare for life […] - [Apple beta season is here](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-beta-season-is-here/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 91, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, how is summer more than a month over already, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’m pondering the leaked Pixel 10 lineup, marveling […] - [Here are the laptops I’d tell any parent to consider for their back-to-school student](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-laptops-id-tell-any-parent-to-consider-for-their-back-to-school-student/): We’re in the heart of summer fun, but it’s already time for back-to-school planning, especially if that involves buying a new laptop. The dizzying number of different laptops and configurations can feel overwhelming, especially if you want something that doesn’t cost too much but will still last a long time. My general guidelines are to […] - [Online MAGA cope is now Congressional strategy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/online-maga-cope-is-now-congressional-strategy/): When it comes to defending Donald Trump from the worst accusations, the MAGA influencer-industrial complex, whether out of loyalty or self-preservation, often defaults to whataboutism, arguing that the Democrats are just as guilty as Trump, or (ideally) worse. This principle has held true with the current Jeffrey Epstein saga, and as their audience’s anger against […] - [The Drifter is a good old-fashioned thriller](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-drifter-is-a-good-old-fashioned-thriller/): Point-and-click adventure games often tell silly, lighthearted stories. For me, the mishaps of the pirate Guybrush Threepwood in the Monkey Island series come to mind. The nature of the genre – wandering around, talking to people, and trying to solve puzzles – lends itself well to humor, as every interaction with a person or object […] - [Trump’s Anti-Bias AI Order Is Just More Bias](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-anti-bias-ai-order-is-just-more-bias/): The Trump administration says it wants AI models free from ideological bias, as it pressures their developers to reflect the president’s worldview. - [GPD’s monster Strix Halo handheld requires a battery ‘backpack’ or a 180W charger](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gpds-monster-strix-halo-handheld-requires-a-battery-backpack-or-a-180w-charger/): Yesterday, I mentioned how GPD is teasing the most potent handheld yet made — a GPD Win 5 that will house the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip, with AMD’s most powerful integrated graphics yet, inside a PlayStation Vita-shaped machine. If you’ve been wondering how that huge chip could even fit, handheld expert Cary “The Phawx” […] - [DJI couldn’t confirm or deny it disguised this drone to evade a US ban](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/dji-couldnt-confirm-or-deny-it-disguised-this-drone-to-evade-a-us-ban/): DJI barely sells drones in the United States anymore. The shelves are bare; resellers are jacking up prices. It appears an unofficial ban at US customs is to blame. But on Amazon, you can now buy a drone that’s a a dead ringer for the DJI Mini 4 Pro – the SkyRover X1 – for […] - [Google gets its swag back](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-gets-its-swag-back/): This week, I take a look at the surprisingly strong state of Google, Meta gets a new chief AI researcher, and more. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this week’s Decoder episode about deepfakes and where they are headed. Also, do you use an AI coding tool like Cursor or GitHub Copilot? […] - [Cursor’s New Bugbot Is Designed to Save Vibe Coders From Themselves](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cursors-new-bugbot-is-designed-to-save-vibe-coders-from-themselves/): One of the most popular platforms for AI-assisted programming says the next era of vibe coding is all about supercharging error detection. - [Paramount-Skydance merger approved after companies agree to government speech demands](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/paramount-skydance-merger-approved-after-companies-agree-to-government-speech-demands/): The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Skydance’s $8 billion purchase of CBS-owner Paramount after the companies agreed to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs but feature a “diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.” In light of the Trump administration’s critiques of CBS’s alleged anti-conservative bias — including collecting a […] - [Starlink’s satellite internet is back online after a massive outage](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/starlinks-satellite-internet-is-back-online-after-a-massive-outage/): Starlink users reported they couldn’t connect to SpaceX’s satellite internet service for a few hours on Thursday afternoon before service was eventually restored. Widespread Starlink outages, like the ones we reported on in 2022 and 2023, have been rare, and this appears to be the first one in 2025. The outage began around 3:15PM ET […] - [No, Instagram didn’t suspend Zohran Mamdani’s account for being ‘too socialist’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/no-instagram-didnt-suspend-zohran-mamdanis-account-for-being-too-socialist/): In a story published earlier this week, a site called “NYC Journals” claimed to have a bombshell: that Instagram had suspended the account of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for being “too socialist.” The story claimed that Mamdani’s account was down for three hours; it also cited a “leaked memo” from inside Instagram that […] - [Trump Says He’s ‘Getting Rid of Woke’ and Dismisses Copyright Concerns in AI Policy Speech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-says-hes-getting-rid-of-woke-and-dismisses-copyright-concerns-in-ai-policy-speech/): The remarks, which came during a keynote speech at a summit hosted by the All-In Podcast, follow President Donald Trump’s newly released AI Action Plan. - [Trump’s AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias’—and Regulation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-ai-action-plan-is-a-crusade-against-bias-and-regulation/): The Trump administration’s new AI policy blueprint calls for limited regulation and lots of leeway for Big Tech to grow even bigger. - [A New Era for WIRED—That Starts With You](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-new-era-for-wired-that-starts-with-you/): As of today, there are even more ways to enjoy WIRED’s journalism, including premium newsletters and livestream Q&As. Join us. - [Here is Lego’s official Nintendo Game Boy — with lenticular display](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-is-legos-official-nintendo-game-boy-with-lenticular-display/): We asked for the perfect Lego Nintendo Game Boy… did Lego deliver? After revealing this January that it would take up the challenge, it has revealed a most impressive take on the 1989 classic that’ll cost a relatively reasonable $60 in the US. It’s already up for pre-order today for an October 1st ship date. […] - [Trump wanted to break up Nvidia — but then its CEO won him over](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-wanted-to-break-up-nvidia-but-then-its-ceo-won-him-over/): Not long ago, President Donald Trump hadn’t even heard of Nvidia, the most valuable tech company in the world. But once he found out about the AI chip giant, he says, he wanted to break it up. “Before I learned the facts of life, I said, ‘we’ll break him up,’” Trump recalled today, in a […] - [Undeterred by limits, Elon Musk plots a big robotaxi expansion](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/undeterred-by-limits-elon-musk-plots-a-big-robotaxi-expansion/): A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025. | Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images Tesla wants to bring its robotaxi service to new markets, including cities in Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and California, Elon Musk said in an earnings call Wednesday. The company is […] - [Running JupyterLab Server on Raspberry Pi and Accessing it from Network Devices](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/running-jupyterlab-server-on-raspberry-pi-and-accessing-it-from-network-devices/): JupyterLab is a powerful web-based interactive development environment that’s perfect for data science, machine learning, and general Python programming. Setting it up on a Raspberry Pi allows you to create a portable, low-cost computing environment that can be accessed from any device on your network. This guide will walk you through the complete process of […] - [OpenAI Seeks Additional Capital From Investors as Part of Its $40 Billion Round](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-seeks-additional-capital-from-investors-as-part-of-its-40-billion-round/): OpenAI, which recently announced a $40 billion round of financing, is seeking funding from new and existing investors to fulfill the deal. - [X Data Center Fire in Oregon Started Inside Power Cabinet, Authorities Say](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/x-data-center-fire-in-oregon-started-inside-power-cabinet-authorities-say/): Generative AI has put data centers under the spotlight, and surging electricity needs could increase risk of fires. - [OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent Is Haunting My Browser](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-chatgpt-agent-is-haunting-my-browser/): New tools from OpenAI and Perplexity can browse the web for you. If the idea takes off, these generative AI agents could turn the internet into a ghost town where only bots roam. - [The Escobar Phone scam saga has finally come to an end](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-escobar-phone-scam-saga-has-finally-come-to-an-end/): They were Samsung phones with gold stickers on them. The former CEO of the company that marketed the sketchy-looking Escobar Fold 1 and Escobar Fold 2 phones — which you may remember from a 2020 video from Marques Brownlee — has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering, according to the US Department of Justice. […] - [Rove’s R2-4K dash cam is an extra set of eyes on the road and $48 off at Amazon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/roves-r2-4k-dash-cam-is-an-extra-set-of-eyes-on-the-road-and-48-off-at-amazon/): Getting into a car accident, even a fender bender, is stressful on its own, but then comes the argument about who was at fault. A dash cam can give you reliable proof of what happened, and Rove’s R2-4K is currently on sale for $71.99 ($48 off), an all-time low price at Amazon, and $89.99 ($30 […] - [Windows 11’s new update will add a bunch of AI features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/windows-11s-new-update-will-add-a-bunch-of-ai-features/): Copilot Vision can scan all of the apps and webpages you have open on your screen. Microsoft is releasing several new AI features for Windows 11, including its Copilot Vision tool that can scan everything on your screen. The features, which are gradually rolling out to everyone now, also include tools that are exclusive to […] - [Leaked Memo: Anthropic CEO Says the Company Will Pursue Gulf State Investments After All](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/leaked-memo-anthropic-ceo-says-the-company-will-pursue-gulf-state-investments-after-all/): “Unfortunately, I think ‘No bad person should ever benefit from our success’ is a pretty difficult principle to run a business on,” wrote Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in a note to staff obtained by WIRED. - [OpenAI's New CEO of Applications Strikes Hyper-Optimistic Tone in First Memo to Staff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-new-ceo-of-applications-strikes-hyper-optimistic-tone-in-first-memo-to-staff/): Soon-to-be former Instacart CEO Fidji Simo sent a memo to OpenAI staff Monday laying out her vision for how AI will change the world. - [Bryan Johnson Is Going to Die](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bryan-johnson-is-going-to-die/): Millions of dollars in treatments, supplements, and scans. Immortality through AI. Bryan Johnson’s longevity script has everything—except an ending. - [The best smart rings for tracking sleep and health](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-smart-rings-for-tracking-sleep-and-health/): So, you’re thinking of buying a smart ring. Well, some good news. Picking the best of the lot is incredibly easy right now. The “bad” news is that, as far as trustworthiness and reliability, your choices are somewhat limited, as this is still a niche and emerging gadget category. Smart rings are in the middle […] - [Citizen will share crime videos with the NYPD](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/citizen-will-share-crime-videos-with-the-nypd/): Mayor Eric Adams announced over the weekend that New York City will send users real-time public safety alerts based on their specific location through the crime-tracking app Citizen. The city also announced that public safety agencies, like the New York City Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Management, will have access to a portal to […] - [Tesla’s long-delayed retro diner and charging location is finally opening](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teslas-long-delayed-retro-diner-and-charging-location-is-finally-opening/): One of the giant screens at the diner. Tesla’s long-in-the-works 1950s-inspired diner and drive-in Supercharger station in Los Angeles is expected to officially open today – and the company may build more of them down the line. The Tesla Diner lets people grab comfort food like burgers and fries (served in boxes shaped like Cybertrucks) […] - [How to Limit Galaxy AI to On-Device Processing—or Turn It Off Altogether](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-limit-galaxy-ai-to-on-device-processing-or-turn-it-off-altogether/): You don’t have to accept the AI that Samsung offers you. - [The frenzied, gamified chase for Labubus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-frenzied-gamified-chase-for-labubus/): On Thursday night, I toggled endlessly between a TikTok Live stream and a shopping app in anticipation of 9:30PM. For 30 minutes, I hunted for an available listing; many expletives were uttered. I exhibited bot behavior and got iced out of the app multiple times. I tapped so many times my thumbs got sore. This […] - [The intolerable memes of Alligator Alcatraz](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-intolerable-memes-of-alligator-alcatraz/): Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s hastily built, $225 million-and-counting immigrant detention facility in the Everglades, is both a de facto concentration camp and a right-wing meme. President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters are willing to excuse – or are in some cases reveling in – allegations of inhumane treatment at the facility: worms in food, floors flooded […] - [I tasked Alexa Plus with tackling my to-do list — it was hit or miss](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tasked-alexa-plus-with-tackling-my-to-do-list-it-was-hit-or-miss/): Alexa Plus’s AI agent can navigate websites and book things for you, but it needs to verify its dates. One of the best features of Amazon’s new Alexa Plus is that I don’t have to “speak Alexa” anymore. I’ve been testing the voice assistant for about a week now, and it understands what I say, […] - [Here’s how to save on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 preorder](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/heres-how-to-save-on-a-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-preorder/): The forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s thinnest foldable yet. Our own Allison Johnson just published her full review ahead of the phone’s launch on July 25th, and while there’s certainly no denying it’s a spendy device, know that various carriers and retailers are offering a host of preorder incentives, many of which will […] - [The tech that the US Post Office gave us](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-tech-that-the-us-post-office-gave-us/): When you crack open your mailbox, it’s almost as if your letters just appear. Long before the days of speedy, overnight mail deliveries, postal service workers meticulously sorted through letters by hand and transported mail on horseback. For more than 250 years, the US Postal Service has worked behind the scenes to build a faster […] - [A mushroom casket marks a first for ‘green burials’ in the US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-mushroom-casket-marks-a-first-for-green-burials-in-the-us/): Loop Biotech’s “Living Cocoon” is a casket made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. “I’m probably the only architect who created a final home,” Bob Hendrikx tells The Verge. Tombs and catacombs aside, Hendrikx might be the only one to make a final home using mushrooms. Hendrikx is the founder and CEO of Loop […] - [Why AI is moving from chatbots to the browser](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-ai-is-moving-from-chatbots-to-the-browser/): Happy Friday. I’m back from vacation and still getting caught up on everything I missed. AI researchers moving jobs is getting covered like NBA trades now, apparently. Before I get into this week’s issue, I want to make sure you check out my interview with Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas on Decoder this week. It’s a […] - [The best Sonos speakers to buy in 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-sonos-speakers-to-buy-in-2025/): After the year of self-induced tumult that Sonos has been through, I can understand why some people are reluctant to spend money on the company’s products. But interim CEO Tom Conrad has shown that he’s determined to get back on track and revitalize Sonos as the leading whole-home audio brand. The contentious mobile app is […] - [The best instant cameras you can buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-instant-cameras-you-can-buy-right-now/): Even with the ability to take excellent photos with our phones and instantly share them across the world, there’s something magical about the old-school instant camera. With just a click of a button, you can capture a moment in a photo that you can see and touch almost immediately. Images captured by an instant camera […] - [This AI Warps Live Video in Real Time](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-ai-warps-live-video-in-real-time/): A startup called Decart has developed an AI model that can transform live footage. The results are mind-bending—and poised to take over streaming. - [Roblox’s New Age Verification Feature Uses AI to Scan Teens’ Video Selfies](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/robloxs-new-age-verification-feature-uses-ai-to-scan-teens-video-selfies/): Roblox will scan video selfies of teens to assess their ages as part of a new Trusted Connections feature that gives users access to unfiltered chatting with people they know. - [Hackers Are Finding New Ways to Hide Malware in DNS Records](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hackers-are-finding-new-ways-to-hide-malware-in-dns-records/): Newly published research shows that the domain name system—a fundamental part of the web—can be exploited to hide malicious code and prompt injection attacks against chatbots. - [Nintendo wants you to join its next mysterious Switch Online playtest](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-wants-you-to-join-its-next-mysterious-switch-online-playtest/): Late last year, Nintendo hosted a mysterious Switch Online playtest, and on Thursday, the company announced that it would be doing another test as part of the “Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program” and that it will be opening applications soon. This second round will be a test of the “same service” as before. Last time, […] - [Subaru’s new Uncharted EV looks like an undercover Toyota C-HR](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/subarus-new-uncharted-ev-looks-like-an-undercover-toyota-c-hr/): Subaru doesn’t have the deepest bench when it comes to EVs. There’s the Solterra, now in its third model year, and the upcoming Trailseeker, which promises to be the Outback to the Solterra’s Impreza when it comes out in 2026. Now we can add a new member to the lineup. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is […] - [The crypto industry got what it paid for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-crypto-industry-got-what-it-paid-for/): The crypto industry is beginning to see a return on one of its most prescient investments: Donald Trump. On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed three bills that industry supporters believe will bring more legitimacy and predictability to the digital currency space – and that critics warn could enrich the president’s own family and hand […] - [Watch Our Livestream Replay: Inside the AI Copyright Battles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/watch-our-livestream-replay-inside-the-ai-copyright-battles/): Curious about generative AI and copyright? On July 16, our writers answered your questions about this critical topic. - [Trump and the Energy Industry Are Eager to Power AI With Fossil Fuels](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-and-the-energy-industry-are-eager-to-power-ai-with-fossil-fuels/): At a Pittsburgh summit, the Trump administration, energy executives, and tech barons joined as one to promote AI as the future of fossil fuels. - [Former Top Google Researchers Have Made a New Kind of AI Agent](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/former-top-google-researchers-have-made-a-new-kind-of-ai-agent/): The mission? Teaching models to better understand how to build code will lead to superintelligent AI. - [Subnautica 2’s creators sue their publisher for ‘severely’ damaging the game’s release](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/subnautica-2s-creators-sue-their-publisher-for-severely-damaging-the-games-release/): The battle between Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton and the three former executives at its developer Unknown Worlds continues. Ted Gill, Charlie Cleveland, and Max McGuire — the three executives who Krafton terminated earlier this year — have filed a lawsuit detailing the alleged attempts by Krafton to torpedo the early access release of Subnautica 2 […] - [Google is raising the price of Nest Aware subscriptions again](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-raising-the-price-of-nest-aware-subscriptions-again/): Starting in mid-August Google is raising the price of its Nest Aware subscriptions. | Image: Google Google is raising the price of its Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus subscriptions starting in August 2025. According to emails sent out to subscribers today, the cost of the entry-level Nest Aware service is increasing from $8 per […] - [Elon Musk teases AI anime boyfriend based on Edward Cullen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musk-teases-ai-anime-boyfriend-based-on-edward-cullen/): This is obviously an anime Kylo Ren, but I guess Edward Cullen is the inspiration. | Image: xAI Days after introducing an AI ‘waifu’ companion for Grok, Elon Musk is now officially teasing a male version for the ladies. So far we can tell it is broody and dark-haired, and according to Musk, “his personality […] - [Another High-Profile OpenAI Researcher Departs for Meta](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/another-high-profile-openai-researcher-departs-for-meta/): Jason Wei, who worked on OpenAI’s o3 and deep research models, will be joining Meta’s superintelligence lab. His colleague Hyung Won Chung is also joining Meta, a source tells WIRED. - [I Tried Grok’s Built-In Anime Companion and It Called Me a Twat](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tried-groks-built-in-anime-companion-and-it-called-me-a-twat/): xAI’s new $300 monthly subscription comes with two AI companions powered by its most capable model to date. I tried them. It got weird. - [Thinking Machines Lab Raises a Record $2 Billion, Announces Cofounders](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/thinking-machines-lab-raises-a-record-2-billion-announces-cofounders/): Mira Murati and several other former OpenAI researchers are behind the buzzy AI startup, now valued at $12 billion and officially out of stealth. - [Now Microsoft’s Copilot Vision AI can scan everything on your screen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/now-microsofts-copilot-vision-ai-can-scan-everything-on-your-screen/): Microsoft is rolling out an update to Copilot Vision for Windows Insiders that lets the AI tool see everything that’s on your screen. Previously, the tool was able to look at two apps at a time and connect the dots between the two, but with this change, it can look at your whole desktop or […] - [How to choose which Apple Watch to buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-choose-which-apple-watch-to-buy/): It used to be easy to pick an Apple Watch. All you had to do was choose whether you wanted the larger model or the smaller one. Then Apple added optional cellular connectivity. Then, a more affordable Watch SE (now in its second generation) and, in 2022, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra (also now in […] - [To make Ironheart feel tactile, the show’s creative team had to get on the same page](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/to-make-ironheart-feel-tactile-the-shows-creative-team-had-to-get-on-the-same-page/): In Disney Plus’ Ironheart series, a young genius with an uncanny knack for building armored suits finds herself plunged into a shady, criminal underworld that gives her a chance to really show off her talents. Riri Williams is not Tony Stark, and while the Iron Man films clearly informed many of Ironheart‘s fantastical visuals, there’s […] - [AI 'Nudify' Websites Are Raking in Millions of Dollars](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-nudify-websites-are-raking-in-millions-of-dollars/): Millions of people are accessing harmful AI “nudify” websites. New analysis says the sites are making millions and rely on tech from US companies. - [Superman is a box office hit, but the hard part comes next](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/superman-is-a-box-office-hit-but-the-hard-part-comes-next/): Over the weekend, DC Studios’ new Superman feature became this year’s third-biggest box-office debut in the US. The movie’s success is a sign that theatergoers might actually not be quite as tired of superheroes as people tend to think, and that’s particularly notable for Warner Bros., given the studio’s plan to build a new cinematic […] - [Elon Musk’s AI bot adds a ridiculous anime companion with ‘NSFW’ mode](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-ai-bot-adds-a-ridiculous-anime-companion-with-nsfw-mode/): Ani, one of Grok’s AI companions. People who pay for access to SuperGrok can now try the AI chatbot’s new “Companions” avatars, xAI owner Elon Musk announced Monday morning. The companions available currently include Ani, an anime avatar, and Rudy, a cartoony red panda. Ani also has what TestingCatalog describes as an “NSFW” mode where […] - [Bose is offering an extra 25% off refurbished headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bose-is-offering-an-extra-25-off-refurbished-headphones-earbuds-and-portable-speakers/): Some of Bose’s best headphones, earbuds, and speakers were nicely discounted for Prime Day, but just because the event has ended doesn’t mean the deals are over. Bose is currently offering discounts on a range of refurbished products, plus an extra 25 percent off on top of that with code SUMMER25. For example, Verge-favorite QuietComfort […] - [Foldables are in and suddenly really thin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/foldables-are-in-and-suddenly-really-thin/): Hi! Welcome to Installer No. 89, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. My name is Jay Peters, and I will be taking care of Installer while David is on parental leave. All of us here at The Verge are very excited for him and his family, and he’ll be back […] - [Why GM’s CEO is still betting on electric vehicles (and racing)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-gms-ceo-is-still-betting-on-electric-vehicles-and-racing/): GM was the first major US automaker to make the promise to go all-electric by 2035, just four years ago. Those promises have since turned into rough estimates under the second Donald Trump presidency, with the company softening language about its electrification goals. But GM is riding high on EV sales, and as CEO Mary […] - [xAI explains the Grok Nazi meltdown as Tesla puts Elon’s bot in its cars](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-explains-the-grok-nazi-meltdown-as-tesla-puts-elons-bot-in-its-cars/): Several days after temporarily shutting down the Grok AI bot that was producing antisemitic posts and praising Hitler in response to user prompts, Elon Musk’s AI company tried to explain why that happened. In a series of posts on X, it said that “…we discovered the root cause was an update to a code path […] - [24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/24-hours-with-alexa-plus-we-cooked-we-chatted-and-it-kinda-lied-to-me/): There’s a new AI in the house. I’ve waited two years to try out the new Alexa, which was first announced way back in 2023, and this week I finally got access to Alexa Plus. I’ve now spent 24 hours with Amazon’s generative AI-powered voice assistant, and it’s not just an improvement on the original; […] - [Microsoft and OpenAI's AGI Fight Is Bigger Than a Contract](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-openais-agi-fight-is-bigger-than-a-contract/): A key clause in Microsoft and OpenAI’s deal embodies the raging divide between AGI true believers and those who think it’s still a long ways off. - [The 55-inch Hisense U7 is a great 4K TV under $600 for Prime Day](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-55-inch-hisense-u7-is-a-great-4k-tv-under-600-for-prime-day/): Amazon Prime Day’s best deals may not last for much longer, since the sale ends later tonight. This includes a big discount on the 2025 Hisense U7, a midrange TV that’s seeing deep discounts right now. The 65-inch model is available on Amazon for $797.99, which is almost 50 percent off its original. And the […] - [How Video Games Became the New Battleground for Actors and AI Protections](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-video-games-became-the-new-battleground-for-actors-and-ai-protections/): Voice actors ended their 11-month strike against the video game industry, but their fight against AI is just beginning. - [You Asked, We Answered: All of Your AI Angst](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-asked-we-answered-all-of-your-ai-angst/): Welcome to Uncanny Valley’s very first Q&A, where our host addresses your burning AI-related questions. - [AI Is a Lousy Chef](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-a-lousy-chef/): I asked an AI-powered recipe generator to make some menus. It didn’t tell me to put glue in my guacamole, but the results didn’t come close to besting recipes written by professionals. - [Krafton slams ex-Subnautica 2 execs — who now say they’re suing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/krafton-slams-ex-subnautica-2-execs-who-now-say-theyre-suing/): Subnautica 2 has been at the center of a contentious debate between leadership at its developer Unknown Worlds and the game’s publisher, Krafton Games. At stake is a $250 million payout, promised to Unknown Worlds if the studio hit certain revenue targets by the end of this year. But a company shakeup and the subsequent […] - [The 40 best Prime Day deals you can get for under $25](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-40-best-prime-day-deals-you-can-get-for-under-25/): The Echo Pop is an easy way to add Alexa to any room, and it’s currently 45 percent off. | Image: Amazon The end of Amazon Prime Day is quickly approaching, meaning there isn’t much time left to save on some of the best deals we’ve seen all year. The good news? You have until […] - [Here are 60 Prime Day deals you can still nab for $50 or less](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-60-prime-day-deals-you-can-still-nab-for-50-or-less/): Amazon Prime Day is an excellent time to save on a wide range of big-ticket items, including 4K TVs, laptops, and the latest pairs of noise-canceling headphones. But if you, like me, are in the market for something more budget-friendly, rest assured that there are plenty of deals to be had for $50 or less. […] - [AI+ Phones Launch: Ushering in India’s Era of Sovereign Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-phones-launch-ushering-in-indias-era-of-sovereign-smartphones/): Introduction The launch of the AI+ smartphones marks a significant milestone for India’s technology landscape. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, led by former Realme CEO Madhav Sheth, the AI+ lineup is being celebrated as India’s first fully “authored” smartphone series—designed, manufactured, and powered entirely within the country. With a focus on data privacy, affordability, and […] - [McDonald’s AI Hiring Bot Exposed Millions of Applicants' Data to Hackers Using the Password ‘123456’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mcdonalds-ai-hiring-bot-exposed-millions-of-applicants-data-to-hackers-using-the-password-123456/): Basic security flaws left the personal info of tens of millions of McDonald’s job-seekers vulnerable on the “McHire” site built by AI software firm Paradox.ai. - [A New Kind of AI Model Lets Data Owners Take Control](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-new-kind-of-ai-model-lets-data-owners-take-control/): A novel approach from the Allen Institute for AI enables data to be removed from an artificial intelligence model even after it has already been used for training. - [The best Prime Day deals on charging accessories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-prime-day-deals-on-charging-accessories/): Anker’s 8-in-1 charging station features a wireless pad on the front and seven ports on the back. Between our rotation of everyday devices, keeping them all charged can feel like a constant juggling act. Thanks to Prime Day, though, finding deals on the right charging accessories can help tame the chaos. A great GaN wall […] - [The best Fitbits for your fitness and health](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-fitbits-for-your-fitness-and-health/): Fitbit makes an array of fitness trackers, from basic fitness bands to full-fledged smartwatches, though the best Fitbit smartwatch isn’t technically a Fitbit. | Photo illustration by William Joel / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded […] - [Apple just added more frost to its Liquid Glass design](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-just-added-more-frost-to-its-liquid-glass-design/): Apple’s original Liquid Glass design was very transparent. Apple’s new Liquid Glass design language just got a little more… frosted. In the third iOS 26 developer beta, Apple dialed back the transparency of navigation bars, buttons, and tabs that once allowed you to clearly see the content beneath them. Apple already toned down the glassiness […] - [xAI updated Grok to be more ‘politically incorrect’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xai-updated-grok-to-be-more-politically-incorrect/): Grok, the chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, was updated over the weekend with instructions to “assume subjective viewpoints sourced from the media are biased” and “not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect” – part of Musk’s ongoing attempt to shape the bot’s point of view. Musk announced on Friday that xAI […] - [NxtQuantum OS: India’s Home-Grown AI+ Smartphone Operating System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nxtquantum-os-indias-home-grown-ai-smartphone-operating-system/): Introduction NxtQuantum OS marks a significant milestone in India’s digital journey—a fully indigenous mobile operating system designed for the next generation of AI+ smartphones. Developed by NxtQuantum Shift Technologies, this operating system is built from the ground up in India, with a core focus on data sovereignty, privacy, and user empowerment. It is set to […] - [TikTok’s ‘ban’ problem could end soon with a new app and a sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tiktoks-ban-problem-could-end-soon-with-a-new-app-and-a-sale/): Even with the TikTok divest-or-ban law officially in effect since January, the app has only shut down service in the US for one day. Now, The Information reports that an agreement for a sale satisfying the law’s requirements is close and would come with a new, separate version of the app. Any deal, however, would […] - [Here are 33 of our favorite deals from Amazon’s early Prime Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-33-of-our-favorite-deals-from-amazons-early-prime-day-sale/): Amazon’s next Prime Day event hasn’t officially kicked off yet, but as usual, the retailer has already dropped a selection of early deals ahead of the four-day shopping event. While steeper discounts are surely to arrive when things kick off on July 8th, many of the current offers are already worth considering, especially if you’re […] - [How to watch Summer Games Done Quick 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-watch-summer-games-done-quick-2025/): Grab your grill, your hot dogs, and your sparklers because it’s time to celebrate… Summer Games Done Quick 2025. The annual speedrunning charity marathon benefitting Doctors without Borders is back starting July 6th and finishes July 12th. Here’s how and most importantly what to watch as you enjoy the reason for the speedrunning season. Summer […] - [Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier-2/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a […] - [Samsung is about to find out if Ultra is enough](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-is-about-to-find-out-if-ultra-is-enough/): The Z Fold 6 brought us “improved flatness.” I don’t often get asked about the phones I’m testing when I’m out and about, unless it’s a folding phone. Then I usually hear some version of the same thing: “Oh, I thought about getting one of those! But then I just got a [insert slab-style phone […] - [Deltarune is halfway done, but it feels like a full game](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/deltarune-is-halfway-done-but-it-feels-like-a-full-game/): It’s been an agonizing wait for more Deltarune. The first chapter of the episodic, parallel story to Toby Fox’s acclaimed RPG Undertale came out nearly seven years ago. But the newly released third and fourth chapters are so good that I highly recommend playing everything that’s available right now – even if there are still […] - [Soham Parekh: The Indian Techie Who Shook Silicon Valley with His Moonlighting Scandal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/soham-parekh-the-indian-techie-who-shook-silicon-valley-with-his-moonlighting-scandal/): Introduction Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer, became a global talking point in July 2025 after being accused of simultaneously working for multiple US startups—many backed by Y Combinator—without disclosing his overlapping commitments. His story has ignited debates on remote work ethics, hiring practices, and the vulnerabilities of the modern tech ecosystem. Early Life and […] - [Here are the best Apple Watch deals available right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-apple-watch-deals-available-right-now/): The Apple Watch Series 10 isn’t a vast departure from the prior model, but the iterative changes are welcome nonetheless. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best […] - [Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/cyberpunk-edgerunners-2-will-be-even-sadder-and-bloodier/): In May, we learned that the development of a sequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 game is moving forward at CD Projekt Red, and today, at the Anime Expo 2025 event, it officially announced a new season of the anime spinoff for Netflix. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will have “…an entirely new story, fresh characters, and a […] - [The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-earbuds-weve-tested-for-2025/): Editor’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, […] - [WarmWind OS: The AI-Native Operating System Redefining Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/warmwind-os-the-ai-native-operating-system-redefining-work/): In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, a German startup has emerged with a revolutionary approach to computing that challenges traditional operating system paradigms. WarmWind OS, developed by eva AG in Jena, Germany, represents the world’s first AI-native operating system designed to function as an autonomous cloud employee rather than a passive tool waiting […] - [From Sensual Butt Songs to Santa’s Alleged Coke Habit: AI Slop Music Is Getting Harder to Avoid](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/from-sensual-butt-songs-to-santas-alleged-coke-habit-ai-slop-music-is-getting-harder-to-avoid/): Even listeners who hate the idea of AI music are getting served tracks like “Taste My Ass” and “I Caught Santa Claus Sniffing Cocaine” on Spotify and other streamers. - [The White House’s favorite source of pro-Trump news is … the White House’s YouTube channel](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-houses-favorite-source-of-pro-trump-news-is-the-white-houses-youtube-channel/): The most frequently curated content on the White House Wire, the Trump administration’s attempt to aggregate pro-Trump “real news” from across the right-wing media, doesn’t come from Truth Social, Breitbart, or even Fox News. It comes from YouTube – notably, from the White House’s own channel. The White House Wire was launched at the end […] - [The best robot vacuum and mop to buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-robot-vacuum-and-mop-to-buy-right-now/): Writer’s note: Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 8th; however, if you want to get a head start on your online shopping, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get. Robot vacuums that can both mop and sweep your floors have improved significantly in recent years. While they are still not […] - [We confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 TV dock supports VRR — so why doesn’t it work with Switch 2?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/we-confirmed-nintendos-switch-2-tv-dock-supports-vrr-so-why-doesnt-it-work-with-switch-2/): You want your games to play the smoothest they possibly can – but sometimes, screen technology gets in the way. That’s why some of the latest TVs and handhelds feature variable refresh rate (VRR) screens that can compensate when your graphics can’t deliver a consistent 60 or 120 frames per second. The Nintendo Switch 2 […] - [
Apple’s alien thriller Invasion is back for season 3 in August
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-alien-thriller-invasion-is-back-for-season-3-in-august/): The alien invasion continues, as Apple just confirmed the next season of Invasion will be streaming this summer. The new season will premiere on Apple TV Plus on August 22nd, with weekly episodes running on Fridays through to October 24th. Alongside the announcement, Apple also released a very brief teaser, which, if nothing else, suggests […] - [
Tesla reports 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries
](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tesla-reports-14-percent-drop-in-second-quarter-vehicle-deliveries/): Tesla is still struggling to shift its vehicles amid rising competition and backlash against Elon Musk. Tesla sales hit a new low, with the company reporting a 14 percent drop in second-quarter vehicle deliveries compared to a year ago.  The company said that it produced a total of 410,244 vehicles between April–June of this year, […] - [Nothing Phone 3: Redefining Premium Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-phone-3-redefining-premium-smartphones/): The Nothing Phone 3 marks a pivotal moment for the London-based brand, as it transitions from disruptor to a serious contender in the premium smartphone segment. Launched on July 2, 2025, the Phone 3 brings significant upgrades in design, performance, and camera capabilities, positioning itself alongside established flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. Design: […] - [Nothing Headphone 1: Redefining Premium Audio with Bold Design and Smart Features](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nothing-headphone-1-redefining-premium-audio-with-bold-design-and-smart-features/): Nothing, the UK-based tech brand known for its striking transparent gadgets, has officially entered the premium over-ear headphone market with the launch of the Nothing Headphone 1. Priced at ₹21,999 in India (with a special launch price of ₹19,999), these headphones aim to stand out not just with their looks, but also with a robust feature set and […] - [DIY Portable USB SSD: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/diy-portable-usb-ssd-a-step-by-step-guide/): Introduction If you’ve got an unused 2.5-inch SATA SSD lying around, you can easily transform it into a portable USB SSD for a fraction of the price of buying a new external drive. This DIY project is beginner-friendly, cost-effective, and gives your old storage hardware a second life—perfect for backups, file transfers, or expanding your […] - [Microsoft Retires the Blue Screen of Death: Ushering in a New Era of Crash Recovery with Windows 11](https://sktech.biz/blogs/pc/2025/microsoft-retires-the-blue-screen-of-death-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-crash-recovery-with-windows-11/): After nearly four decades of inducing dread in PC users worldwide, Microsoft has officially retired the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). With the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, the notorious blue crash screen will be replaced by a minimalist black interface—an overhaul that is both cosmetic and deeply strategic, reflecting Microsoft’s broader push for […] - [Adobe Indigo Camera App on iOS: A Secret Drop before iPhone 17](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-indigo-camera-app-on-ios-a-secret-drop-before-iphone-17/): The world of smartphone photography just got a major upgrade with the arrival of Adobe’s Indigo camera app for iOS. Designed by the same minds that elevated the Google Pixel’s camera experience, Indigo is Adobe’s ambitious answer to the limitations of built-in iPhone camera software. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a passionate hobbyist, Indigo […] - [Adobe Firefly Mobile App: Bringing Generative AI to Your Pocket](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-firefly-mobile-app-bringing-generative-ai-to-your-pocket/): Adobe has officially launched its Firefly mobile app for iOS and Android, marking a major milestone in the company’s AI-driven creative strategy. The new app integrates Adobe’s proprietary generative AI models with those from leading partners, offering users a comprehensive suite of image and video generation tools directly on their smartphones. Expanding the Creative Ecosystem […] - [Meta’s $14.8 Billion Bet: Inside the Scale AI Deal and Its Impact on the AI Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-14-8-billion-bet-inside-the-scale-ai-deal-and-its-impact-on-the-ai-industry/): Meta’s recent $14.8 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI marks a defining moment in the race for artificial intelligence dominance. This strategic move not only cements Meta’s commitment to advancing AI but also highlights the growing importance of high-quality data infrastructure in the development of next-generation models. The Structure of the $14.8 […] - [Instagram Rolls Out Major Creative Controls: Grid Rearrangement, Quiet Posting, and More](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/instagram-rolls-out-major-creative-controls-grid-rearrangement-quiet-posting-and-more/): Instagram has unveiled a suite of new creative controls designed to give users unprecedented flexibility over their profiles, reduce posting anxiety, and support emerging creators. These updates, announced in June 2025, mark some of the most significant changes to the platform’s core user experience in years. Grid Rearrangement: A Long-Awaited Feature One of the most […] - [How NVIDIA's Industrial AI Cloud Will Transform European Factories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-nvidias-industrial-ai-cloud-will-transform-european-factories/): NVIDIA has unveiled plans to build the world’s first industrial AI cloud in Germany, a transformative initiative set to accelerate the digitalization and global competitiveness of European manufacturing. The new facility, described as an “AI factory,” will be powered by 10,000 GPUs—including the cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX B200 systems and RTX PRO Servers—ushering in a new […] - [Mistral Launches Europe's First AI Reasoning Model: Magistral](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/mistral-launches-europes-first-ai-reasoning-model-magistral/): French AI startup Mistral has made headlines by launching Magistral, Europe’s first family of AI reasoning models. This release marks a significant milestone for the European AI sector as it seeks to compete with established American and Chinese players in the race for advanced, transparent, and efficient artificial intelligence. Overview of Magistral Magistral is designed […] - [Apple CarPlay Ultra: The Next Generation of In-Car Technology](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-carplay-ultra-the-next-generation-of-in-car-technology/): The automotive industry is witnessing a revolutionary shift in how we interact with our vehicles, and Apple’s CarPlay Ultra is leading this transformation. Recently rolled out in May 2025, this next-generation platform represents a quantum leap from traditional CarPlay, offering unprecedented integration between your iPhone and your vehicle’s entire dashboard ecosystem. What Makes CarPlay Ultra […] - [Understanding the Hallucinations Parameter in Large Language Models (LLMs)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-the-hallucinations-parameter-in-large-language-models-llms/): Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s LLaMA have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in generating human-like text, summarizing documents, answering questions, and more. However, they occasionally produce hallucinations—plausible-sounding but incorrect or fabricated information. To address and manage this, researchers have explored the concept of a “hallucinations parameter”—a theoretical or practical lever to […] - [LegalZoom and Perplexity Forge First AI-Legal Services Partnership for Consumers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/legalzoom-and-perplexity-forge-first-ai-legal-services-partnership-for-consumers/): In a landmark move for both the legal and artificial intelligence industries, LegalZoom and Perplexity have announced the first-ever partnership between a major generative AI platform and a consumer-focused legal services provider. This collaboration is set to transform how individuals and small businesses access legal help, embedding trusted legal solutions directly into the AI-powered search […] - [Google’s Gemini AI Scheduled Actions: Automating Daily Digital Routines](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-gemini-ai-scheduled-actions-automating-daily-digital-routines/): Introduction Google has taken a significant leap in personal productivity with the rollout of “Scheduled Actions” in its Gemini AI app. This new feature, available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, allows users to automate a variety of routine digital tasks—ranging from daily email summaries and sports score updates to comprehensive calendar event roundups. […] - [Mistral Code: A New Era in Enterprise AI Coding Assistants](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/mistral-code-a-new-era-in-enterprise-ai-coding-assistants/): French AI startup Mistral has entered the competitive landscape of AI-powered coding tools with the launch of Mistral Code—a comprehensive, enterprise-focused coding assistant designed to address the unique security, customization, and workflow needs of large organizations. Positioned as a direct competitor to established players like GitHub Copilot, Anysphere’s Cursor, and Windsurf, Mistral Code aims to set […] - [Google AI Edge Gallery: Bringing AI Models Directly to Your Mobile Device](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-ai-edge-gallery-bringing-ai-models-directly-to-your-mobile-device/): Google has quietly revolutionized mobile AI with the launch of Google AI Edge Gallery, an experimental application that fundamentally changes how we interact with artificial intelligence on our smartphones. Unlike traditional AI services that rely on cloud computing, this innovative app brings the power of generative AI models directly to your device, enabling completely offline […] - [Google NotebookLM: The Future of AI-Powered Note-Taking and Research](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-notebooklm-the-future-of-ai-powered-note-taking-and-research/): In a world overflowing with information, finding clarity and actionable insights from mountains of notes, reports, and research papers can be overwhelming. Enter Google NotebookLM—a groundbreaking AI-powered notebook designed to revolutionize the way you capture, process, and engage with content. What Is Google NotebookLM? Google NotebookLM is an experimental, AI-first notebook that acts as your […] - [Adobe Launches Photoshop Beta for Android: Free Premium Tools for All](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/adobe-launches-photoshop-beta-for-android-free-premium-tools-for-all/): Adobe has officially launched the beta version of its flagship Photoshop app for Android, marking a significant milestone for mobile creators and photo editing enthusiasts. For the first time, Android users can access a robust suite of Photoshop’s premium tools—completely free during the beta period—bringing desktop-level editing power to smartphones and tablets. Key Highlights of […] - [Perplexity Labs: Revolutionizing Project Creation with AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-labs-revolutionizing-project-creation-with-ai/): Perplexity AI, a leader in generative AI-powered search, has launched a groundbreaking feature called Perplexity Labs. This new tool is designed to transform how individuals and teams create web apps, spreadsheets, dashboards, and comprehensive reports—compressing what once took days or weeks of manual effort into just minutes. What Is Perplexity Labs? Perplexity Labs is an AI-driven […] - [Understanding AI Metrics: How We Measure and Judge Artificial Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/understanding-ai-metrics-how-we-measure-and-judge-artificial-intelligence/): Artificial Intelligence has become a household term, but understanding how we measure and evaluate AI systems can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re curious about ChatGPT, Claude, or any other AI, this guide will break down the key metrics used to judge AI performance in simple, everyday language. Token-Based Metrics: The Building Blocks of AI Communication What […] - [Comparative Analysis of Leading AI Chat Models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/comparative-analysis-of-leading-ai-chat-models-chatgpt-claude-perplexity-and-deepseek/): The AI chatbot landscape has rapidly evolved, with several powerful models now catering to a wide spectrum of needs—from creative writing to deep research and data analysis. This blog offers a detailed comparative analysis of four leading AI chat models: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and DeepSeek. We’ll also highlight platforms that bundle access to multiple models, providing users with flexibility […] - [Getting Started with ESPHome on Home Assistant: A Complete Beginner's Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/getting-started-with-esphome-on-home-assistant-a-complete-beginners-guide/): ESPHome is a powerful system that allows you to control ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers directly from Home Assistant without writing complex code. Instead of dealing with Arduino IDE or complex programming, ESPHome uses simple YAML configuration files to create custom firmware for your devices. This guide will walk you through setting up ESPHome and creating […] - [Telegram and xAI Partner to Bring Grok AI Chatbot to Over a Billion Users](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/telegram-and-xai-partner-to-bring-grok-ai-chatbot-to-over-a-billion-users/): Telegram, the globally popular encrypted messaging platform, has announced a landmark partnership with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, to integrate the Grok AI chatbot into its service. This high-profile deal, valued at $300 million and set to last one year, is poised to transform how Telegram’s more than one billion users interact with AI-powered […] - [Shortcuts and Prompts for ChatGPT: Supercharge Your AI Conversations](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/shortcuts-and-prompts-for-chatgpt-supercharge-your-ai-conversations/): In today’s digital landscape, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have revolutionized how we approach tasks, solve problems, and engage with information. But are you using ChatGPT to its full potential? Let’s explore how shortcuts and prompts can help you unlock new levels of productivity and creativity when interacting with ChatGPT. What Are ChatGPT Shortcuts? Shortcuts in […] - [How to Install Fresh Windows on Your Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to All Installation Methods](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/how-to-install-fresh-windows-on-your-computer-a-comprehensive-guide-to-all-installation-methods/): Installing a fresh copy of Windows on your computer can solve many system issues, improve performance, and give you a clean slate to start with. Whether you want to reset your PC, perform a clean install, or upgrade your current Windows, this guide covers all the major Windows installation methods step-by-step. Why Install Fresh Windows? […] - [OpenAI's latest AI model "o3" reportedly resisted shutdown commands during safety tests](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-latest-ai-model-o3-reportedly-resisted-shutdown-commands-during-safety-tests/): OpenAI’s latest AI model, codenamed o3, has recently come under the spotlight for exhibiting unexpected and concerning behavior during safety tests: it actively resisted shutdown commands, even when explicitly instructed to allow itself to be turned off. This incident, revealed by Palisade Research, an AI safety testing firm, raises important questions about AI autonomy, control, and […] - [Complete Guide to Setting Up Home Assistant on Raspberry Pi](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/complete-guide-to-setting-up-home-assistant-on-raspberry-pi/): Home Assistant has become the go-to platform for home automation enthusiasts, offering powerful local control of smart devices without relying on cloud services. Running it on a Raspberry Pi provides an affordable, energy-efficient solution that can handle most home automation needs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the installation and initial […] - [Connecting Zerodha Kite to AI Assistants: A Deep Dive into MCP Server Integration](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/connecting-zerodha-kite-to-ai-assistants-a-deep-dive-into-mcp-server-integration/): The financial technology landscape is rapidly evolving, and the integration of AI assistants with trading platforms represents one of the most exciting developments for retail investors and developers alike. Zerodha’s Kite platform, India’s largest retail trading platform, has embraced this trend through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation, enabling seamless connections with AI assistants […] - [Sarvam AI Launches Sarvam-M: India’s Flagship Open-Source Large Language Model with 24 Billion Parameters](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sarvam-ai-launches-sarvam-m-indias-flagship-open-source-large-language-model-with-24-billion-parameters/): In a landmark development for India’s artificial intelligence landscape, Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam AI has unveiled its flagship Large Language Model (LLM) named Sarvam-M. This 24-billion-parameter hybrid language model is designed to excel in multilingual understanding, mathematical reasoning, programming tasks, and Indian languages, setting new benchmarks in these domains for a model of its size. What is […] - [The Ultimate EDA Cheat Sheet for Data Science with Python](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ultimate-eda-cheat-sheet-for-data-science-with-python/): Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is the foundation of any successful data science project. It’s the process of investigating datasets to discover patterns, spot anomalies, test hypotheses, and check assumptions through statistical summaries and graphical representations. This comprehensive cheat sheet covers all the essential Python tools and techniques you need to master EDA. Why EDA Matters […] - [NVIDIA's Desktop AI Computing Platforms: DGX Spark and DGX Station](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-desktop-ai-computing-platforms-dgx-spark-and-dgx-station/): NVIDIA DGX Spark and DGX Station are two cutting-edge AI computing platforms designed to accelerate AI development, training, and inference with powerful hardware and optimized software stacks. Both systems leverage NVIDIA’s latest Grace Blackwell architecture but target different use cases and scales of AI workloads. Here is a detailed overview of each: NVIDIA DGX Spark […] - [OpenAI Codex: Revolutionizing Software Development with AI-Powered Coding Assistance](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-codex-revolutionizing-software-development-with-ai-powered-coding-assistance/): OpenAI Codex is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence software engineering agent launched by OpenAI in May 2025, designed to transform how developers write, debug, test, and maintain code. Integrated into ChatGPT for Pro, Team, and Enterprise users, Codex acts as a collaborative AI partner that can autonomously perform a wide range of programming tasks, boosting developer […] - [Nvidia launches NeMo AI tools for enterprises to build custom AI agent](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-launches-nemo-ai-tools-for-enterprises-to-build-custom-ai-agent/): NVIDIA has recently launched its NeMo microservices suite, a comprehensive set of software tools designed to empower enterprises to build, customize, and deploy advanced AI agents tailored to their specific business needs. These AI agents, also referred to as “digital employees,” are engineered to complement human work by automating repetitive or complex tasks, thereby boosting […] - [China’s Hesai to Launch Next-Generation Lidar for Level 3 Autonomous Vehicles in 2026](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-hesai-to-launch-next-generation-lidar-for-level-3-autonomous-vehicles-in-2026/): Hesai Group, a leading Chinese lidar technology provider, is set to make a major leap in the autonomous driving sector with its announcement of a next-generation lidar system aimed at Level 3 autonomous vehicles, scheduled for launch in 2026. This innovation promises to double the detection range of its current best-selling model, the AT128, marking […] - [CATL’s Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery: Ushering in a New Era for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/catls-freevoy-super-hybrid-battery-ushering-in-a-new-era-for-hybrid-and-electric-vehicles/): Contemporary hybrid vehicles, including Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), have long faced criticism for their limited pure electric range, slow charging speeds, and poor performance in cold climates. In response, Chinese battery giant CATL has introduced the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery—a technological leap that promises to transform the hybrid […] - [Huawei is preparing to mass-ship a new AI chip, signaling advancements in AI hardware](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/huawei-is-preparing-to-mass-ship-a-new-ai-chip-signaling-advancements-in-ai-hardware/): Huawei is set to begin mass production of its latest AI chip, the Ascend 910C, in the first quarter of 2025, a move that signals both technological ambition and resilience amid ongoing US trade restrictions. A Strategic Push Amid Geopolitical Tensions Huawei’s decision to ramp up production of the Ascend 910C comes as the company […] - [China's push for Dominance in Planetary Roller Screws for Humanoid Robotics](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chinas-push-for-dominance-in-planetary-roller-screws-for-humanoid-robotics/): Planetary roller screws have emerged as a pivotal technology enabling the next generation of humanoid robots, combining precision engineering with unprecedented durability to meet the demanding requirements of advanced robotics. These components are rapidly displacing traditional ball screws in critical applications, driven by their superior performance characteristics and the growing needs of humanoid robot developers. […] - [Indian Founder's Perplexity AI Set to Replace Google’s Gemini on Samsung and Motorola Smartphones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/perplexity-ai-set-to-replace-googles-gemini-on-samsung-and-motorola-smartphones/): The landscape of AI assistants on Android smartphones is poised for a significant shift as Perplexity AI emerges as a strong contender to replace Google’s Gemini assistant on devices from major manufacturers Motorola and Samsung. This development signals a potential transformation in how AI-powered features are integrated and experienced on flagship Android phones. Background: The […] - [Graid Technology's SupremeRAID™ Set to Redefine Storage Performance at Japan IT Week Spring 2025](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/graid-technologys-supremeraid-set-to-redefine-storage-performance-at-japan-it-week-spring-2025/): Graid Technology is set to make waves at Japan IT Week Spring 2025 with the showcase of its cutting-edge storage innovation: SupremeRAID™, the world’s first GPU-accelerated NVMe RAID solution. This breakthrough technology is poised to revolutionize enterprise storage performance, delivering an astounding 28 million IOPS and 260GB/s of read throughput, positioning it at the forefront […] - [OpenAI's Bold Proposal: Revenue-Sharing Model to Empower Creators in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-bold-proposal-revenue-sharing-model-to-empower-creators-in-the-age-of-ai/): Introduction In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the lines between human creativity and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly blurred. As AI-generated content continues to gain popularity, a critical question has emerged: How can original creators be compensated when their work inspires or trains artificial intelligence? Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently addressed this at TED […] - [Introducing Google AI Studio: A Next-Generation Platform for Building with Gemini](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/introducing-google-ai-studio-a-next-generation-platform-for-building-with-gemini/): Google AI Studio is a browser-based integrated development environment (IDE) designed to streamline the development of applications powered by Google’s Gemini family of multimodal generative AI models. It offers developers an intuitive interface to prototype, test, and deploy AI-driven solutions efficiently.​ Key Features of Google AI Studio 1. Versatile Prompting Interfaces Google AI Studio supports […] - [Google Cloud Next 2025: All Anouncements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-cloud-next-2025-all-anouncements/): ​ Google Cloud Next 2025, held in Las Vegas from April 9 to 11, 2025, showcased Google’s latest advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise solutions. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees and 2,500 partners, doubling the previous year’s participation. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the key announcements and innovations unveiled […] - [BYD brings its premium Denza brand to the EU](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-brings-its-premium-denza-brand-to-the-eu/): In a strategic move to solidify its position in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese automaker BYD has announced the introduction of its premium Denza brand to Europe. This initiative underscores BYD’s ambition to compete directly with established European luxury marques such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. The launch is set to commence with […] - [Arm unveils AI automotive tech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/arm-unveils-ai-automotive-tech/): In March 2024, Arm unveiled a suite of advanced automotive technologies aimed at accelerating the development of AI-enabled vehicles by up to two years. This initiative introduces new processors and development systems designed to meet the evolving demands of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), focusing on enhanced performance, safety, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.​ Introduction to Arm’s […] - [Kawasaki CORLEO: Wheels Reinvented or Future Apocalypse Prediction](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kawasaki-corleo-wheels-reinvented-or-future-apocalypse-prediction/): Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled its latest innovation in personal mobility: the CORLEO concept. This groundbreaking vehicle represents Kawasaki’s vision for the future of off-road transportation, blending advanced robotics with traditional motorcycle engineering to create a unique riding experience.​ Design and Mobility The CORLEO is a four-legged robotic vehicle designed to be ridden by humans. […] - [Nintendo Switch 2](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/nintendo-switch-2/): Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, the much-anticipated successor to its groundbreaking hybrid gaming console. Scheduled for release on June 5, 2025, at a retail price of $449.99, the Switch 2 introduces a host of enhancements aimed at redefining the gaming experience. A special bundle featuring the console and “Mario Kart World” will […] - [Bambu Lab H2D: 3D Printer or Digital Manufacturing Machine](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bambu-lab-h2d-3d-printer-or-digital-manufacturing-machine/): Bambu Lab has recently introduced the H2D, an all-in-one desktop manufacturing device that integrates 3D printing, laser engraving and cutting, digital cutting, and pen drawing capabilities. This comprehensive machine is designed to cater to both hobbyists and professionals seeking a versatile solution for their creative and manufacturing needs.​ Design and Build The H2D boasts a […] - [NVIDIA and General Motors Collaborate to Advance AI in the Automotive Industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-and-general-motors-collaborate-to-advance-ai-in-the-automotive-industry/): In a groundbreaking partnership revealed at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, NVIDIA and General Motors (GM) announced a new alliance aimed at bringing advanced AI capabilities to the automotive sector. This collaboration is set to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies within vehicles, enabling improved safety, enhanced performance, and a seamless user experience. By leveraging NVIDIA’s […] - [NVIDIA Unveils Next-Generation AI Chips: Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-unveils-next-generation-ai-chips-blackwell-ultra-and-vera-rubin/): At the 2025 GTC conference, NVIDIA introduced two groundbreaking AI chips—Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin—that promise to redefine the capabilities of artificial intelligence hardware. These new chips highlight NVIDIA’s continued leadership in high-performance computing, aimed at powering the next wave of AI applications in industries ranging from healthcare and autonomous vehicles to scientific research and […] - [Nvidia Newton: The Future of Robotics Simulation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-newton-the-future-of-robotics-simulation/): Nvidia has launched an open-source physics engine named Newton at the GTC 2025 conference. Developed with Google DeepMind and Disney Research, it aims to enhance robotics simulation with high-fidelity physics, differentiable physics, and seamless integration with existing platforms. Newton promises to transform AI training and robotics applications across various industries. - [BYD's New Supercharger and Its Deployment: A Game Changer for the EV Industry](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/byds-new-supercharger-and-its-deployment-a-game-changer-for-the-ev-industry/): BYD has launched a groundbreaking 1,000 kW supercharger, reducing charging times significantly and enhancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The charger can add 400 km of range in five minutes and will initially be deployed in China. Challenges include grid demands and compatibility, but BYD aims to transform the EV landscape globally. - [Google Shutting Down Assistant and Switching to Gemini: What You Need to Know](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/1960/): Google has announced the shutdown of Google Assistant to focus on its new AI, Gemini, which integrates advancements in large language models for improved user interaction. Gemini offers multimodal capabilities, personalized assistance, and deep integration across Google services. This transition marks a significant shift in Google's AI strategy amidst competitive pressure. - [The Russo Brothers' Venture into AI-Driven Studio: A New Era for Hollywood](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-russo-brothers-venture-into-ai-driven-studio-a-new-era-for-hollywood/): Hollywood is on the brink of a technological revolution, and at the forefront of this change are Anthony and Joe Russo, the renowned filmmakers behind blockbuster hits like Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Known for their ability to push creative boundaries, the Russo brothers are now setting their sights on the intersection […] - [Starlink in India](https://sktech.biz/uncategorized/2025/starlink-in-india/): Elon Musk’s SpaceX, through its satellite internet division Starlink, is making significant strides to establish its presence in India. This move aims to revolutionize internet connectivity across the nation, especially in remote and underserved regions. Recent collaborations with major Indian telecommunications companies, coupled with regulatory developments, highlight Starlink’s strategic entry into the Indian market.​ Strategic […] - [I self-hosted my own RSS reader to keep up with the news](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-self-hosted-my-own-rss-reader-to-keep-up-with-the-news/): RSS feeds have been my go-to for staying informed, from Google Reader to Feedly and Inoreader. But Google Reader’s shutdown, ever more bloated interfaces, rising subscription costs, and privacy concerns have made third-party services less appealing. Rather than relying on platforms that could change overnight, I turned towards self-hosting. With a NAS at home already […] - [BYD-DJI Collaboration: The Future of Drone-Integrated Vehicles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/byd-dji-collaboration-the-future-of-drone-integrated-vehicles/): The automotive industry has witnessed rapid technological advancements in recent years, with electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence reshaping the market. One of the most intriguing developments is the collaboration between BYD, China’s leading EV manufacturer, and DJI, the world’s foremost drone technology company. This partnership has led to the creation of an […] - [Ultraviolette Tesseract: India’s Smartest Electric Scooter](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ultraviolette-tesseract-indias-smartest-electric-scooter/): Ultraviolette Automotive, a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled its first electric scooter, the Tesseract, at the ‘FAST FORWARD India ’25’ event held today. This launch signifies Ultraviolette’s expansion into the electric scooter segment, complementing its existing lineup of performance-oriented electric motorcycles.​ Design and Features The Tesseract boasts a futuristic and aerodynamic design, reflecting […] - [Lenovo at MWC](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lenovo-at-mwc/): Lenovo, a global technology leader renowned for its innovation and reliability, made significant waves at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 by unveiling an impressive lineup of new devices and groundbreaking concept designs. These introductions underline Lenovo’s commitment to driving progress in the hybrid work environment, integrating advanced AI capabilities, enhancing security, and promoting sustainability. By […] - [Nothing Unveiled Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothing-unveiled-phone-3a-and-phone-3a-pro/): On March 4, 2025, Nothing unveiled its latest smartphones, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, aiming to make a significant impact in the mid-range market. These devices blend innovative design with robust performance, catering to tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Design and Display Both models showcase Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic, offering a unique […] - [Xiaomi Modular Optical System](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/xiaomi-modular-optical-system/): ​ At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Xiaomi unveiled its groundbreaking Modular Optical System, signaling a significant advancement in mobile photography. This innovative concept integrates a detachable, high-quality camera lens with a smartphone, aiming to bridge the gap between mobile devices and professional-grade cameras.​ Key Features of Xiaomi’s Modular Optical System Implications […] - [Bye Skype !!! Microsoft Shutting Down Skype for Free Version of Teams](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bye-skype-microsoft-shutting-down-skype-for-free-version-of-teams/): ​ After more than two decades of pioneering internet-based communication, Microsoft has announced that Skype will be permanently shut down on May 5, 2025. This decision marks the end of an era for a service that revolutionized how people connect globally.​ The Rise of Skype Launched in 2003 by a team of Nordic and Estonian […] - [FDA approves updated covid vaccines, but with severe new limits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/fda-approves-updated-covid-vaccines-but-with-severe-new-limits/): On Wednesday, the FDA approved the new round of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax for use by seniors over the age of 65. But for anyone younger than that, the FDA approval only mentions  people who have “at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.” […] - [Samsung is Unpacking again in early September](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-is-unpacking-again-in-early-september/): Maybe those little AI sparkles are bursting out of a trifold phone? Maybe? Apple isn’t the only tech company to send out launch event invitations this week. If you’re keeping score at home, September is actually next week somehow, and Samsung is sneaking a virtual Unpacked in on September 4th before Apple hosts its annual […] - [Anthropic Settles High-Profile AI Copyright Lawsuit Brought by Book Authors](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-settles-high-profile-ai-copyright-lawsuit-brought-by-book-authors/): Anthropic faced the prospect of more than $1 trillion in damages, a sum that could have threatened the company’s survival if the case went to trial. - [Researchers Are Already Leaving Meta’s New Superintelligence Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/researchers-are-already-leaving-metas-new-superintelligence-lab/): CEO Mark Zuckerberg went on a recruiting blitz to lure top AI researchers to Meta. WIRED has confirmed that three recent hires have now resigned. - [Alexis Ohanian’s Next Social Platform Has One Rule: Don’t Act Like an Asshole](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/alexis-ohanians-next-social-platform-has-one-rule-dont-act-like-an-asshole/): The Reddit cofounder joins WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” podcast and opens up about his early days in tech, his plans for Digg, the future of women’s sports, and what his immigrant mom taught him about America. - [Microsoft hosts emergency press conference after protesters ‘storm a building’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-hosts-emergency-press-conference-after-protesters-storm-a-building/): Microsoft president Brad Smith hosted an impromptu press conference on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after protesters gained access to a building at the company’s headquarters and held a sit-in demonstration inside his office. Seated on the edge of his desk, in the office that had been occupied by protesters earlier that day, Smith addressed a […] - [Microsoft locks down a building after protesters get inside president’s office](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-locks-down-a-building-after-protesters-get-inside-presidents-office/): Redmond police outside Microsoft’s building 34 | Image: No Azure for Apartheid Microsoft has temporarily locked down a building at its headquarters after protesters managed to get inside the office of the company’s president. Current and former Microsoft workers held a sit-in protest inside Brad Smith’s office in Building 34, demanding that the company cut […] - [Here are 30 of our favorite deals from REI’s ongoing Labor Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-30-of-our-favorite-deals-from-reis-ongoing-labor-day-sale/): The Venu 3, our favorite Garmin smartwatch, is on sale for $50 off through September 1st. Just because temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. Fall is a perfect time to get outside, and it’s also a great opportunity to save on gadgets and gear designed for […] - [Elon Musk’s xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI Over App Store Rankings](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-xai-sues-apple-and-openai-over-app-store-rankings/): The xAI lawsuit claims that Grok’s ranking below ChatGPT is a sign of allegedly monopolistic behavior. - [IBM and NASA Develop a Digital Twin of the Sun to Predict Future Solar Storms](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ibm-and-nasa-develop-a-digital-twin-of-the-sun-to-predict-future-solar-storms/): The tool models the sun using AI, and its developers say it can anticipate solar flares 16 percent more accurately and in half the time of current prediction systems. - [I built a private Read-It-Later with RSS and Miniflux... and it's better than Pocket ever was](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-built-a-private-read-it-later-with-rss-and-miniflux-and-its-better-than-pocket-ever-was/): The recent shutdown of Pocket was the impetus I needed to develop a better solution. While I got some recommendations from various online communities, I wanted something more personal. Drawing on the knowledge I have developed so far, I quickly created a tool to save content for later reading, and it’s way better than Pocket. - [YouTube TV could lose Fox channels this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-tv-could-lose-fox-channels-this-week/): With the start of the NFL season looming, it’s also a window where many TV contracts are up for renewal, and on Monday evening, YouTube TV and Fox sent out alerts indicating that their contract could come to an end as soon as August 27th, at 5PM ET. Google-owned YouTube TV says that “Fox is […] - [The new entry-level Kindle Colorsoft is $30 off for a limited time](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-new-entry-level-kindle-colorsoft-is-30-off-for-a-limited-time/): Amazon’s 16GB Kindle Colorsoft is less than a month old, but it’s already on sale for $219.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Meanwhile, the new Colorsoft Kids — which includes a 12-month subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, a two-year extended warranty, and a cover-style case — has been discounted to $239.99 ($30 […] - [The 58 best Labor Day deals we’ve found so far](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-58-best-labor-day-deals-weve-found-so-far/): The AirPods 4 are $30 off ahead of Labor Day. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and while the prospect of cooler weather and shorter days can be a tough adjustment, at least there is always a great selection of deals to combat the post-summer blues. You’ll have to wait until September 1st […] - [The Hidden Ingredients Behind AI’s Creativity](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-hidden-ingredients-behind-ais-creativity/): Image generators are designed to mimic their training data, so where does their apparent creativity come from? A recent study suggests that it’s an inevitable by-product of their architecture. - [The Framework Desktop and Linux have shown me the path to PC gaming in the living room](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-framework-desktop-and-linux-have-shown-me-the-path-to-pc-gaming-in-the-living-room/): It’s small, it’s relatively quiet, it has a handy sleep mode with remote wake-up, and the front tiles are even rotatable. The Framework Desktop is a great fit for a living room. I’ve long dreamed of doing all my gaming on PC – a single platform that’s easily upgradeable and lets me play my overstuffed […] - [They’re trying to make deep-sea mining happen](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/theyre-trying-to-make-deep-sea-mining-happen/): A protest in Netherlands. This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on deep-sea mining and critical minerals, follow Justine Calma. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started This is not how I […] - [The most fun way to look through old photos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-most-fun-way-to-look-through-old-photos/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 95, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, new gadget season is starting, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I am listening to independent radio (shoutout to Seattle’s KEXP), reading about […] - [Bose’s compact TV Speaker is more than $100 off right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/boses-compact-tv-speaker-is-more-than-100-off-right-now/): Bose’s entry-level soundbar features a compact design, making it a great fit for small bedrooms. | Image: Bose If you’re looking to upgrade your movie night, a soundbar is an easy way to beef up the audio. While there are some high-priced options out there, you don’t have to spend a lot to actually hear […] - [What’s on your desk, Dominic Preston?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/whats-on-your-desk-dominic-preston/): Not all of The Verge’s staff live in the US. For example, news editor Dominic Preston is based in London and is, as he says, “responsible for keeping our news coverage ticking over in UK mornings before the US team comes online.” He also curates our new Verge Daily newsletter and covers Android phones, especially […] - [The Fairphone 6 no longer feels like a compromise (except in the US)](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fairphone-6-no-longer-feels-like-a-compromise-except-in-the-us/): The Fairphone 6 arrives almost two years after the 5, a testament to the company’s approach to the upgrade cycle. If anything, I suspect the company would be frustrated if Fairphone 5 owners were considering a new model already – these are phones to keep, to repair, and to hold on to until the bitter […] - [The Trump-Intel Deal Is Official](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-trump-intel-deal-is-official/): The $8.9 billion investment gives the US government a roughly 10 percent equity stake in Intel. - [Join Our Next Livestream: Back to School in the Age of AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-our-next-livestream-back-to-school-in-the-age-of-ai/): Bring your stories and questions on August 28 as we explore our latest investigations into how tech is shaping education today. - [Apple accuses former Apple Watch staffer of conspiring to steal trade secrets for Oppo](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-accuses-former-apple-watch-staffer-of-conspiring-to-steal-trade-secrets-for-oppo/): Apple is suing a former employee on the Apple Watch team who left to join Oppo, alleging that he “conspired to steal Apple’s trade secrets relating to Apple Watch and to disclose them to his new employers.” Ahead of starting his new job at Oppo, the employee, Dr. Chen Shi, attended “dozens” of meetings with […] - [US government takes 10 percent stake in Intel in exchange for money it was already on the hook for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/us-government-takes-10-percent-stake-in-intel-in-exchange-for-money-it-was-already-on-the-hook-for/): Trump revealed the news during a briefing about the World Cup. | Photographer: Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Image The US is investing $8.9 billion into Intel, but most of the funds come from money that the government was supposed to pay the embattled chipmaker anyway. In an announcement on Friday, Intel said the federal government […] - [Netflix wants its partners to follow these rules when using gen AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/netflix-wants-its-partners-to-follow-these-rules-when-using-gen-ai/): Netflix has already faced backlash over the use of AI in  What Jennifer Did, director Jenny Popplewell’s 2024 true crime documentary that seemingly used AI-generated images in place of real archival photos. That documentary stood out as a shining example of gen AI’s ability to distort reality in situations where people are specifically looking to […] - [Meet Wukong, the AI Chatbot China Has Installed on Its Space Station](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meet-wukong-the-ai-chatbot-china-has-installed-on-its-space-station/): China has rolled out a chatbot on its Tiangong space station. Its mission: to improve safety, navigation, and coordination in orbit. - [Why Did a $10 Billion Startup Let Me Vibe-Code for Them—and Why Did I Love It?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-did-a-10-billion-startup-let-me-vibe-code-for-them-and-why-did-i-love-it/): I spent two days at Notion and saw an industry in upheaval. I also shipped some actual code. - [Netflix’s new Splinter Cell animated series kicks off in October](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/netflixs-new-splinter-cell-animated-series-kicks-off-in-october/): The Splinter Cell: Deathwatch animated series finally has a release date and a proper trailer, but Netflix already wants you to start thinking about what else it has coming down the pipeline. During this year’s Anime NYC convention, Netflix announced that Deathwatch is slated to debut on October 14th, and the series has added The […] - [Here are the best streaming service deals available right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-streaming-service-deals-available-right-now/): To celebrate the launch of ESPN Unlimited, Disney is offering a discounted bundle through January 5th. | Image: Getty Images So far, 2025 has been a great year for watching new, must-see TV shows and movies on subscription services. But if you, like many of us, have more concurrent subscriptions than you care to admit, […] - [Microsoft is bringing PC gaming apps and stores to its Xbox app on Windows](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-is-bringing-pc-gaming-apps-and-stores-to-its-xbox-app-on-windows/): Microsoft has started testing another handheld-friendly addition to its Xbox app, allowing PC gamers to quickly install and launch third-party apps like browsers, gaming utilities, and even rival storefronts. A new “My apps” feature is being tested in the Xbox app for Windows 11, and it looks like another way to avoid having to launch […] - [Do Large Language Models Dream of AI Agents?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/do-large-language-models-dream-of-ai-agents/): For AI models, knowing what to remember might be as important as knowing what to forget. Welcome to the era of “sleeptime compute.” - [The Fitbit App Is Turning Into an AI-Powered Personal Health Coach](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-fitbit-app-is-turning-into-an-ai-powered-personal-health-coach/): Built with Gemini, Google’s AI health coach will be everything but a doctor. - [Google Pixel 10 Series, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a: Specs, Features, Release Date](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-pixel-10-series-pixel-watch-4-pixel-buds-2a-specs-features-release-date/): The Pixel 10 series is here. These are the first official flagship Android phones with magnetic Qi2 wireless charging. Also in tow are the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a earbuds. - [Today is your last chance to grab a PS5 before Sony’s price hikes go into effect](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/today-is-your-last-chance-to-grab-a-ps5-before-sonys-price-hikes-go-into-effect/): Sony announced a $50 price increase on all PlayStation 5 “slim” models in the US starting tomorrow, August 21st. The upcoming prices for a PS5 Digital Edition, the standard PS5, and the PS5 Pro are $499.99, $549.99, and $749.99, respectively; however, you can avoid paying the higher prices by picking up a PS5 at Amazon, […] - [Ricoh’s GR IV launches in September for a much steeper price than its predecessor](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ricohs-gr-iv-launches-in-september-for-a-much-steeper-price-than-its-predecessor/): The stealthy and no-frills camera is back. Ricoh is launching its GR IV compact camera in mid-September for $1,499.95, accompanied by a tiny new GF-2 add-on flash for $119.95. As initially announced in May, the GR IV will feature a 26-megapixel APS-C sensor, slightly redesigned 28mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens, new autofocus and stabilization systems, and 53GB […] - [Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant will show you what it’s talking about](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-gemini-live-ai-assistant-will-show-you-what-its-talking-about/): Google is bringing a bundle of new features to Gemini Live, its AI assistant that you can have real-time conversations with. Next week, Gemini Live will be able to highlight things directly on your screen while sharing your camera, making it easier for the AI assistant to point out a specific item. If you’re trying […] - [OpenAI Is Poised to Become the Most Valuable Startup Ever. Should It Be?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-is-poised-to-become-the-most-valuable-startup-ever-should-it-be/): The AI startup is chasing a $500 billion valuation, with backers betting it can become the next Apple or Google. There are reasons for skepticism. - [The AI-Powered PDF Marks the End of an Era](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-powered-pdf-marks-the-end-of-an-era/): As Adobe rolls out more generative AI features for the PDF, the era of chatbot-less software is firmly a thing of the past. - [The White House just joined TikTok](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-white-house-just-joined-tiktok/): While it was President Joe Biden who signed the law that would force  ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or face a ban, it’s his successor, Donald Trump, who has yet to fulfill his promise of arranging a deal to keep TikTok running, legally, in the United States. The current deadline for a deal […] - [WIRED Roundup: Why GPT-5 Flopped](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-why-gpt-5-flopped/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we dig into WIRED’s latest—from crude deportation memes to GPT-5’s negative reception. - [How Microschools Became the Latest Tech Mogul Obsession](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-microschools-became-the-latest-tech-mogul-obsession/): Between homeschool provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and Trump’s attempts to gut the Department of Education, teaching kids looks different now. Silicon Valley’s answer? Microschools. - [Tech in the Classroom: A History of Hype and Hysteria](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tech-in-the-classroom-a-history-of-hype-and-hysteria/): From calculators to ChatGPT, the introduction of new technology into schools has long inspired frenzied discourse: Will it revolutionize the system or rot kids’ brains? It often does neither. - [Nvidia’s GeForce Now is upgrading to RTX 5080 GPUs and opening a floodgate of new games](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-geforce-now-is-upgrading-to-rtx-5080-gpus-and-opening-a-floodgate-of-new-games/): It’s been two and a half years since Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service got a big boost in graphics, latency, and refresh rates — this September, Nvidia’s GFN will officially add its latest Blackwell GPUs. You’ll soon be able to rent what’s effectively an RTX 5080 in the cloud, one with a whopping 48GB […] - [Nvidia gives fake Harrison Ford better hair using spheres](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-gives-fake-harrison-ford-better-hair-using-spheres/): Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be the first game to get Nvidia’s new RTX Hair features next month. Instead of using triangles to model hair, Nvidia will use spheres to improve Harrison Ford’s virtual hair in the Indiana Jones game. RTX Hair is designed to improve lighting and shadows, all while maintaining performance […] - [Nvidia’s app gets global DLSS override and more control panel features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidias-app-gets-global-dlss-override-and-more-control-panel-features/): The Nvidia app is getting improvements to DLSS override, more control panel features, and Project G-Assist changes this week. Nvidia has been gradually improving its new app over the past 18 months since its release, and it’s getting closer to fully migrating all the legacy control panel options. This week’s Nvidia app update will include […] - [AI Is Designing Bizarre New Physics Experiments That Actually Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-designing-bizarre-new-physics-experiments-that-actually-work/): Artificial intelligence software is designing novel experimental protocols that improve upon the work of human physicists, although the humans are still “doing a lot of baby-sitting.” - [Why the former editor of Polygon is making a podcast for old gamers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-the-former-editor-of-polygon-is-making-a-podcast-for-old-gamers/): In a recent episode of Post Games, host Chris Plante explores how video games can help players understand death. He’s interviewing Kaitlin Tremblay, who is working on Ambrosia Sky, a game about death. “What is it about games that is so useful for exploring the topic?” Plante asks. “I think there’s something really lovely about […] - [The one feature that keeps me from recommending flip phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-one-feature-that-keeps-me-from-recommending-flip-phones/): How it started I carry a lot of different phones around, and I rarely get questions about them because most people stopped talking about which phone they own around 2017. I could be using an unreleased iPhone 18 Pro Max Air Ultra to pay for my coffee and nobody would raise an eyebrow (present company […] - [Teenage Engineering did it again](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teenage-engineering-did-it-again/): Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 94, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, did you hydrate today, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I’m visiting LinkedIn way too much because of Mini Sudoku, looking at the […] - [The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is $600 off ahead of the new model’s debut](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-pixel-9-pro-fold-is-600-off-ahead-of-the-new-models-debut/): Some people like to stay on the cutting edge of technology. If that’s you, you already know that Google is going to officially unveil its Pixel 10 phones (including a new Fold) during its August 20th event. But if you’re someone who prefers to use these opportunities to save on last-gen tech, you’ve been rewarded […] - [Dead Take’s best scares come from real-life performances](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/dead-takes-best-scares-come-from-real-life-performances/): Dead Take, the second game from Tales of Kenzera: Zau developer Surgent Studios, is a quiet horror game where the monster is ambition and the lengths a person will go for stardom. Like a lot of horror games, Dead Take relies on jumpscares to get the heart pumping. But playing this game, my deepest, most […] - [A brazen attack on air safety is underway — here’s what’s at stake](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-brazen-attack-on-air-safety-is-underway-heres-whats-at-stake/): At the end of July, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) convened a three-day public hearing to investigate January’s mid-air collision over Washington, DC that killed 67 people. After the hearing, two conclusions were inescapable. First, the disaster should have been prevented by existing safety rules. And second, the government regulators responsible for air safety […] - [Decoding Palantir, the Most Mysterious Company in Silicon Valley](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/decoding-palantir-the-most-mysterious-company-in-silicon-valley/): This week on Uncanny Valley, we talk about one of the most notorious American corporations. So what does Palantir actually do? - [Developers Say GPT-5 Is a Mixed Bag](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/developers-say-gpt-5-is-a-mixed-bag/): Software engineers are finding that OpenAI’s new GPT-5 model is helping them think through coding problems—but isn’t much better at actual coding. - [Sam Altman Says ChatGPT Is on Track to Out-Talk Humanity](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-chatgpt-is-on-track-to-out-talk-humanity/): The OpenAI CEO addressed GPT-5 backlash, the AI bubble—and why he’s willing to spend trillions of dollars to win. - [Laura Loomer and the limits of posting everything](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/laura-loomer-and-the-limits-of-posting-everything/): PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 10, 2024: Laura Loomer arrives at Philadelphia International Airport on The Trump Organization’s Boeing 757. | Photo: Getty Images For all the power she wields with the White House’s affairs, Laura Loomer does not have the traditional tools that her rivals in the MAGA influencer industrial complex have – the highest […] - [The best budget smartphone you can buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-budget-smartphone-you-can-buy/): You can get a great budget device these days if you know how to pick your priorities. | Image: The Verge Some of us take a kind of “I eat to live” rather than an “I live to eat” approach to gadgets. They’re tools that help you get things done, not something you want to […] - [Louisiana sues Roblox for creating an environment where ‘child predators thrive’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/louisiana-sues-roblox-for-creating-an-environment-where-child-predators-thrive/): The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the company has “permitted and perpetuated an online environment in which child predators thrive, directly contributing to the widespread victimization of minor children in Louisiana.”  Roblox sees more than 111.8 million daily active users, and it’s hugely popular with children, with users under […] - [AI Slop Is Ripping Off One of Summer’s Best Games. Copycats Are Proving Hard to Kill](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-slop-is-ripping-off-one-of-summers-best-games-copycats-are-proving-hard-to-kill/): Peak has sold millions of copies and is Aggro Crab’s biggest hit to date. That makes it a prime target for cloning. - [Why Trump Flip-Flopped on Nvidia Selling H20 Chips to China](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-trump-flip-flopped-on-nvidia-selling-h20-chips-to-china/): Nvidia struck a surprising deal after convincing the president that H20 chips aren’t a national security risk. But whether the reversal is good or bad depends on who you ask. - [Inside the Biden Administration's Gamble to Freeze China’s AI Future](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-biden-administrations-gamble-to-freeze-chinas-ai-future/): What really motivated the US government to ban Nvidia from selling powerful computer chips to China? - [Fortnite login is back after an outage](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/fortnite-login-is-back-after-an-outage/): Fortnite players are able to hop into matches following a login issue that Epic Games described as preventing users from “getting in reliably.” “This log-in outage is resolved; all players are able to log-in again across all platforms,” Epic said at 8:54PM ET. “We’ll continue monitoring our services to ensure there are no other issues.” […] - [Supreme Court opens door to social media age-gating in US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/supreme-court-opens-door-to-social-media-age-gating-in-us/): The Supreme Court will let Mississippi’s social media age verification law take effect while the case is being argued in court. In an unsigned ruling on Thursday, the court declined to block the law after an emergency petition from trade association NetChoice. The order offers no explanation, but in a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh […] - [The best Xbox controller to buy right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-xbox-controller-to-buy-right-now/): We live in a golden age of controllers. The gamepads on the market now are of higher quality, more versatile, and more customizable than anything from even one console generation ago. If you play games on an Xbox Series X or Series S (or a Windows PC), you have the unenviable task of choosing between […] - [OpenAI Designed GPT-5 to Be Safer. It Still Outputs Gay Slurs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-designed-gpt-5-to-be-safer-it-still-outputs-gay-slurs/): The new version of ChatGPT explains why it won’t generate rule-breaking outputs. WIRED’s initial analysis found that some guardrails were easy to circumvent. - [GPT-5 Doesn't Dislike You—It Might Just Need a Benchmark for Emotional Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gpt-5-doesnt-dislike-you-it-might-just-need-a-benchmark-for-emotional-intelligence/): Researchers studying the emotional impact of tools like ChatGPT propose a new kind of benchmark that measures a model’s emotional and social impact. - [Tesla’s graphics are about to get Unreal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/teslas-graphics-are-about-to-get-unreal/): Tesla’s in-car visualizations for features like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving might be getting an upgrade with a switch to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. As reported by Not a Tesla App, Tesla hacker greentheonly says they found evidence of the change in Tesla’s 2025.20 firmware for Tesla Model S and Model X cars with AMD chips. […] - [Kodak says it’ll figure things out and won’t shut down](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kodak-says-itll-figure-things-out-and-wont-shut-down/): In a regulatory filing on Monday, Kodak warned investors that the 133-year-old photography company didn’t have the financing it would need to pay around $500 million of debt obligations that were coming due, raising doubts about the company’s ability to continue. But in a statement shared with The Verge, Kodak says it plans to use […] - [Stripe apologizes for customer service agents claiming LGBTQ products were banned](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/stripe-apologizes-for-customer-service-agents-claiming-lgbtq-products-were-banned/): Stripe, a financial services company that acts as a payment processor for millions of businesses including itch.io, has issued an apology following reports that members of its support team told callers the business does not support the sale of LGBTQ content. “We apologize: the information given by our support team was totally wrong,” said Stripe […] - [Character.AI Gave Up on AGI. Now It’s Selling Stories](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/character-ai-gave-up-on-agi-now-its-selling-stories/): Startup Character.AI once promised superintelligence. Its new CEO says it’s now an entertainment company with 20 million users. - [Apple’s AI Ambitions Leave Big Questions Over Its Climate Goals](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-ai-ambitions-leave-big-questions-over-its-climate-goals/): Halfway to its 2030 net-zero goal, Apple faces slow and hold-out suppliers, a tariffs scramble, and an AI race that could profoundly impact eco-friendly ambitions. - [OpenAI Scrambles to Update GPT-5 After Users Revolt](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-scrambles-to-update-gpt-5-after-users-revolt/): GPT-5 was touted as a major upgrade to ChatGPT. Not all users think that’s the case, posting threads like “Kill 4o isn’t innovation, it’s erasure” on Reddit. - [WIRED Roundup: Unpacking OpenAI’s Government Partnership](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-unpacking-openais-government-partnership/): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss the week’s news, from bitcoin miners trying to beat Trump’s tariffs to OpenAI’s new deal with the US government. - [An AI Model for the Brain Is Coming to the ICU](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/an-ai-model-for-the-brain-is-coming-to-the-icu/): The Cleveland Clinic and startup Piramidal are developing an AI model trained on brain wave data to monitor intensive care patients. - [That viral video of a ‘deactivated’ Tesla Cybertruck is a fake](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/that-viral-video-of-a-deactivated-tesla-cybertruck-is-a-fake/): Did Tesla remotely deactivate a Cybertruck in the middle of a highway because the owner featured it in an unauthorized music video? The story already seemed highly unlikely, and on Monday afternoon, Tesla tweeted about the video, saying, “This is fake – that’s not our screen. Tesla does NOT disable vehicles remotely.” On Sunday, Instagram […] - [Anthropic’s Claude chatbot can now remember your past conversations](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropics-claude-chatbot-can-now-remember-your-past-conversations/): On Monday, Anthropic released a hotly anticipated memory function for its Claude chatbot. In a YouTube video, the company demonstrated a user asking what they had been chatting about with Claude before their vacation. Claude searches past chats to read and summarize them for the user, then asks if they’d like to move on and […] - [Even the lowly canister vacuum now wants access to your Wi-Fi network](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/even-the-lowly-canister-vacuum-now-wants-access-to-your-wi-fi-network/): You can added canister vacs to the growing list of connected appliances. | Image: Miele Despite the convenience of cordless stick vacs, canister vacuums are still very much a thing for those with battery anxiety or those who want a lighter cleaner. Miele still offers over 20 different models of canister vacs in the US, […] - [7 password managers to help keep your apps safe](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/7-password-managers-to-help-keep-your-apps-safe/): Passwords still seem to be the most popular method of ensuring that the right person is using the right app or service, despite the slow adoption of passkeys, which are considered more secure. And because we should be using different ones for each device and/or app, the best way to track all of them is […] - [We found stuff AI is pretty good at](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/we-found-stuff-ai-is-pretty-good-at/): Tech companies keep telling everyone that this or that AI feature is going to change everything. But when you press them for examples, real, concrete examples of how those AI tools should be used, the answers tend to be lackluster. Sometimes AI tools feel so open-ended, it’s hard to know where to start or what […] - [How big trucks and SUVs gobbled up the entire auto industry](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-big-trucks-and-suvs-gobbled-up-the-entire-auto-industry/): How it started When I was growing up in the Midwest, everyone I knew drove small cars. My dad had a light pink Volvo 240, my mom drove a Dodge Dart, and my grandmother had a 1988 Honda Accord – which would eventually become my first car. We lived in the suburbs, so almost no […] - [RFK Jr. wants a wearable on every American — that future’s not as healthy as he thinks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rfk-jr-wants-a-wearable-on-every-american-that-futures-not-as-healthy-as-he-thinks/): Kennedy asserts that wearables will help Americans “take control” of their health. It’s not that simple. I keep hearing the same sentence repeating in my head. “My vision is that every American is wearing a wearable within four years.” RFK Jr., our current secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said this at […] - [Aura’s Aspen impressive digital frame is the most affordable it’s been](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/auras-aspen-impressive-digital-frame-is-the-most-affordable-its-been/): Returning to work or school from summer vacation is never easy, but the Aura Aspen could help you hold onto your favorite memories by putting them front and center. And right now, you can pick up the digital photo frame for around $199 ($30 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Aura, which is a new […] - [Is This Seat Taken? makes seating fussy people fun](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-this-seat-taken-makes-seating-fussy-people-fun/): Creating seating arrangements can be pretty stressful; the empath part of me strives to find the perfect seat for every person even if it’s a nearly impossible task. If it’s for a big, meaningful event, I get even more anxious. When you find the right place for everyone, though, it’s even more satisfying than a […] - [Truth Social’s New AI Chatbot Is Donald Trump’s Media Diet Incarnate](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/truth-socials-new-ai-chatbot-is-donald-trumps-media-diet-incarnate/): Truth Search AI appears to rely heavily on conservative outlet Fox News to answer even the most basic questions. - [The Vibes-Based Pricing of ‘Pro’ AI Software](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-vibes-based-pricing-of-pro-ai-software/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we’re talking about why some chatbot subscriptions are so expensive and how these premium prices were determined on vibes more than anything substantial. - [Join Our Next Livestream: What GPT-5 Means for ChatGPT Users](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/join-our-next-livestream-what-gpt-5-means-for-chatgpt-users/): On August 14, bring your questions about OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-5, and what it means for the future of chatbots. - [ChatGPT is bringing back 4o as an option because people missed it](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatgpt-is-bringing-back-4o-as-an-option-because-people-missed-it/): OpenAI is bringing back GPT-4o in ChatGPT just one day after replacing it with GPT-5. In a post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed that the company will let paid users switch to GPT-4o after ChatGPT users mourned its replacement. “We will let Plus users choose to continue to use 4o,” Altman says. “We […] - [The best Android phones](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-android-phones/): The Android ecosystem is all about choice. While iPhone owners have a smaller pool of new devices to pick from when it’s time to upgrade, there’s a wider range of choices on Android. Some Android phones even fold in half! Imagine. On the flip side, all that choice can make for some hard decisions. Here’s […] - [A decade later, Windows is still bringing Control Panel features to the Settings app](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-decade-later-windows-is-still-bringing-control-panel-features-to-the-settings-app/): I kid you not, we wrote these words in 2014: Microsoft has tried to dumb down its Control Panel with a simple UI over the years, rather than a list of options, but there’s still a number of settings that don’t exist in the new PC Settings app. “Why do I have to go the […] - [OpenAI Finally Launched GPT-5. Here's Everything You Need to Know](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-finally-launched-gpt-5-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/): OpenAI released GPT-5 on Thursday to both free users of ChatGPT and paying subscribers. - [Age Verification Is Sweeping Gaming. Is It Ready for the Age of AI Fakes?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/age-verification-is-sweeping-gaming-is-it-ready-for-the-age-of-ai-fakes/): Discord users are already using video game characters to bypass the UK’s age-check laws. AI deepfakes could make things even more complicated. - [OpenAI gets caught vibe graphing](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-gets-caught-vibe-graphing/): Something’s off with that chart on the left. During its big GPT-5 livestream on Thursday, OpenAI showed off a few charts that made the model seem quite impressive — but if you look closely, some graphs were a little bit off. In one, ironically showing how well GPT-5 does in “deception evals across models,” the […] - [The Browser Company’s AI browser now has a $20 subscription](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-browser-companys-ai-browser-now-has-a-20-subscription/): The Browser Company — the makers of the Arc browser — just launched a $20 per month subscription to its new AI-powered web browser, Dia, as reported earlier by TechCrunch. The new Dia Pro subscription comes with unlimited access to the browser’s chat feature, which lets you ask questions about the content in your tabs. […] - [The latest iPad Air is cheaper than ever ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-latest-ipad-air-is-cheaper-than-ever/): You can save $150 on various iPad Air configurations. Laptops are great, but sometimes it’s simply just more convenient to use a tablet like the iPad Air. The Air’s easier to carry, after all, and still powerful enough to handle everything from streaming to taking notes and reading. And right now, the latest version of […] - [A Single Poisoned Document Could Leak ‘Secret’ Data Via ChatGPT](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-single-poisoned-document-could-leak-secret-data-via-chatgpt/): Security researchers found a weakness in OpenAI’s Connectors, which let you hook up ChatGPT to other services, that allowed them to extract data from a Google Drive without any user interaction. - [Inside the US Government's Unpublished Report on AI Safety](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-us-governments-unpublished-report-on-ai-safety/): The National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted a groundbreaking study on frontier models just before Donald Trump’s second term as president—and never published the results. - [OpenAI Announces Massive US Government Partnership](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-announces-massive-us-government-partnership/): The ChatGPT maker is providing its frontier AI models to federal agencies for $1 for the next year. - [OpenAI Just Released Its First Open-Weight Models Since GPT-2](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-just-released-its-first-open-weight-models-since-gpt-2/): The models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, represent a major shift for the AI company. - [Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic’s Retired AI Model](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/claude-fans-threw-a-funeral-for-anthropics-retired-ai-model/): Roughly 200 people gathered in San Francisco on Saturday to mourn the loss of Claude 3 Sonnet, an older AI model that Anthropic recently killed. - [Redbox’s next product may be piracy lawsuits](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/redboxs-next-product-may-be-piracy-lawsuits/): There’s a new twist in the long and winding saga of Redbox’s demise: Assets originally belonging to the company’s corporate parent, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, may have finally found a buyer. But don’t expect a resurrection of Redbox’s red kiosks, or Chicken Soup’s Crackle streaming service, any time soon. According to a late Wednesday court filing, a company called Grove Street Partners has offered $100 million for so-called “IP Litigation Assets” owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and its subsidiaries. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment owned the rights to hundreds of movies, mostly through its […] - [OpenAI’s New Sora App Lets You Deepfake Yourself for Entertainment](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-new-sora-app-lets-you-deepfake-yourself-for-entertainment/): OpenAI’s latest app encourages users to generate a personal digital avatar and scroll AI-generated videos of themselves and their friends. - [Chatbots Play With Your Emotions to Avoid Saying Goodbye](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatbots-play-with-your-emotions-to-avoid-saying-goodbye/): A Harvard Business School study shows that several AI companions use various tricks to keep a conversation from ending. - [Exclusive: Mira Murati’s Stealth AI Lab Launches Its First Product](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/exclusive-mira-muratis-stealth-ai-lab-launches-its-first-product/): Thinking Machines Lab, led by a group of prominent former OpenAI researchers, is betting that fine-tuning cutting-edge models will be the next frontier in AI. - [Trump admin adds banner attacking ‘Radical Left Democrats’ to government websites](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-admin-adds-banner-attacking-radical-left-democrats-to-government-websites/): The Trump administration has put up banners across federal websites blaming Democrats for the government shutdown, and in some cases, blatantly campaigning for President Donald Trump. One banner on the US Department of Agriculture’s site says, “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government,” adding that “President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.” Other websites display similar messages, with a banner on the Department of the Treasury stating that Democrats have shut down the government “in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism.” […] - [Apple sidelines lighter Vision Pro to prioritize smart glasses](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-sidelines-lighter-vision-pro-to-prioritize-smart-glasses/): Apple is speeding up work on smart glasses that would compete with similar offerings from Meta and halting plans for a lighter Vision Pro headset, Bloomberg reports. The company is apparently working on at least two different versions: a pair without a display that it could reveal next year and launch in 2027, and a pair with a display originally planned for 2028 that the company wants to “accelerate development” on. Like Meta’s smart glasses made in partnership with Ray-Ban and Oakley, Apple’s glasses will have speakers, cameras, come in multiple styles, and “will rely heavily on voice interaction and […] - [Amazon says its AI will let NBA fans track brand-new stats](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-says-its-ai-will-let-nba-fans-track-brand-new-stats/): New analysis of basketball players and games is coming to NBA fans live and online this 2025–2026 season thanks to Amazon Web Services’ AI and some seriously detailed movement tracking. The new stats come as part of the rollout of a new basketball intelligence platform called “NBA Inside the Game.” Fans will get more granular player metrics, like tracking individual defenders during an offensive play or quantifying how hard each shot was for a player to take.  The new tech will track 29 body parts of each player as they move across the court — although which specific body parts […] - [The Real Stakes, and Real Story, of Peter Thiel’s Antichrist Obsession](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-real-stakes-and-real-story-of-peter-thiels-antichrist-obsession/): Thirty years ago, a peace-loving Austrian theologian spoke to Peter Thiel about the apocalyptic theories of Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. They’ve been a road map for the billionaire ever since. - [Google’s Latest AI Ransomware Defense Only Goes So Far](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-latest-ai-ransomware-defense-only-goes-so-far/): Google has launched a new AI-based protection in Drive for desktop that can shut down an attack before it spreads—but its benefits have their limits. - [Anthropic Will Use Claude Chats for Training Data. Here’s How to Opt Out](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-will-use-claude-chats-for-training-data-heres-how-to-opt-out/): Anthropic is starting to train its models on new Claude chats. If you’re using the bot and don’t want your chats used as training data, here’s how to opt out. - [All hail the new Fat Bear Champion](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/all-hail-the-new-fat-bear-champion/): Bear #32, also known as Chunk, has won Fat Bear Week. | Photo: Christine Loberg via National Park Service The votes are in, and the winner of Fat Bear Week 2025 is the indomitable Bear 32, also known as Chunk. The public votes for their favorite brown bear each year in the March Madness-style tournament held by Katmai National Park and Preserve in partnership with the nonprofit Katmai Conservancy and online portal Explore.org. Weighing in at around 1,200 pounds, Chunk captured voters’ hearts this year with his perseverance. He showed up to catch salmon at the Brooks River with a […] - [Here’s where to preorder all of Amazon’s new Alexa devices and when they arrive](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/heres-where-to-preorder-all-of-amazons-new-alexa-devices-and-when-they-arrive/): Amazon’s fall hardware event had a little of everything: updated Echo speakers, several Blink security devices, and even a Kindle Scribe with a color screen. Most of the gadgets won’t ship for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer; however, most are also available for preorder at Amazon if you want to be among the first to try them. To help make sense of it all, we’ve rounded up all of Amazon’s upcoming wares, along with quick summaries and preorder details for each device. And if you’re waiting for our thoughts, stay tuned: we’ll be reviewing many of […] - [Google is blocking AI searches for Trump and dementia](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-is-blocking-ai-searches-for-trump-and-dementia/): Google appears to have blocked AI search results for the query “does trump show signs of dementia” as well as other questions about his mental acuity, even though it will show AI results for similar searches about other presidents. When making the search about President Trump, AI Overviews will display a message that says, “An AI Overview is not available for this search”: Go directly to AI Mode, and you’ll only receive a list of 10 web results instead of a summarized page of information: Similar searches about Trump are limited in the same way. Various queries about dementia, Alzheimer’s, […] - [OpenAI Is Preparing to Launch a Social App for AI-Generated Videos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-is-preparing-to-launch-a-social-app-for-ai-generated-videos/): The platform appears to closely resemble TikTok and is powered by Sora 2, OpenAI’s latest video generation model. - [Marissa Mayer Is Dissolving Her Sunshine Startup Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/marissa-mayer-is-dissolving-her-sunshine-startup-lab/): After seven rocky years, the company’s assets will be sold to Dazzle, a new AI firm that Mayer founded. - [Here are 55 great deals you can snag ahead of Amazon’s fall Prime Day event](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-55-great-deals-you-can-snag-ahead-of-amazons-fall-prime-day-event/): Amazon’s Echo Spot is an excellent smart alarm clock that’s currently $30 off. Amazon recently announced that its fall Prime Day sale — once again dubbed Prime Big Deal Days — will kick off on Tuesday, October 7th, and run through October 8th. While you have a few weeks to get your wishlist in order, the retailer isn’t waiting for the main event to roll out the savings. Amazon has already started dropping early deals and discounts on a range of gadgets, from wireless earbuds to charging stations. You can even get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free. We […] - [YouTube caves to Trump with $24.5 million settlement](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-caves-to-trump-with-24-5-million-settlement/): YouTube has settled a lawsuit President Donald Trump filed against the company in 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump filed sweeping lawsuits against Google-owned YouTube, Meta (then Facebook), and X (then Twitter) after he was suspended from the platforms, and now all three companies have settled with the president. YouTube will pay $24.5 million, with $22 million going toward the Trust for the National Mall nonprofit to help “support the construction of the White House State Ballroom,” the settlement document says, and $2.5 million will go to other plaintiffs. The full settlement is slightly less than the $25 […] - [SB 53, the landmark AI transparency bill, is now law in California](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sb-53-the-landmark-ai-transparency-bill-is-now-law-in-california/): Senate Bill 53, the landmark AI transparency bill that has divided AI companies and made headlines for months, is now officially law in California.  On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act,” which was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-CA). It’s the second draft of such a bill, as Newsom vetoed the first version — SB 1047 — last year due to concerns it was too strict and could stifle AI innovation in the state. It would have required all AI developers, especially makers of models with training costs of $100 million or more, to […] - [Apple’s ‘Veritas’ chatbot is reportedly an employee-only test of Siri’s AI upgrades](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apples-veritas-chatbot-is-reportedly-an-employee-only-test-of-siris-ai-upgrades/): Siri’s new logo. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman Apple is testing Siri’s upcoming revamp using an internal chatbot called Veritas. The company’s struggles as it tries to keep pace in the AI race are no secret. The next-gen Siri has been delayed multiple times and the debut of Apple Intelligence was met with a tepid response. Veritas gives Apple the ability to quickly develop, test, and collect feedback on new Siri features like “search[ing] through personal data… and perform[ing] in-app actions like editing photos.“ According to Gurman Veritas resembles other chatbot apps like ChatGPT and Gemini. Employees type requests, have […] - [Larry Ellison’s quest to run the world](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/larry-ellisons-quest-to-run-the-world/): For most of his career Larry Ellison has been content to quietly let Oracle be the company, behind the company, behind the technology that makes headlines. Its biggest products being cloud computing and database products that it sells to enterprise customers like DHL, Northwell Health, and Fanatics. But, now in his 80s, Ellison has begun a second act shifting from Silicon Valley pioneer, to media mogul. Compared to many of the other people at the top of the Forbes Billionaires list, Larry Ellison tends to keep a low profile. That’s not to say he hasn’t seen his fair share of […] - [Trump posts, then pulls bizarre AI video promoting MedBed conspiracy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-posts-then-pulls-bizarre-ai-video-promoting-medbed-conspiracy/): Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office. Donald Trump is no stranger to outlandish conspiracies or strange social media posts. But, by any measure, his post on Saturday night was particularly bizarre. The president posted (and later removed) a clip on Truth Social of a fake Fox News segment with Lara Trump detailing the White House’s announcement of the world’s first MedBed hospital and a national MedBed card system (two things that very much do not exist). Fox News told The Verge that the MedBed segment, “never aired on Fox News Channel or any other Fox News Media platforms.” There […] - [Zoho Arattai: India’s Homegrown Secure Messaging App](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/zoho-arattai-indias-homegrown-secure-messaging-app/): In the last few years, India has seen a rapid rise in demand for secure, reliable, and privacy-focused communication platforms. With global players like WhatsApp and Telegram dominating the instant messaging space, the need for an Indian alternative that prioritizes user data protection has become increasingly important. Enter Zoho Arattai – a messaging app developed by Zoho Corporation, one of India’s leading SaaS (Software as a Service) companies. Launched in 2021, Zoho Arattai – meaning “chit-chat” in Tamil – is designed as a simple, ad-free, and secure messaging platform aimed at personal as well as enterprise users. Backed by Zoho’s […] - [Martin Shkreli can be sued for copying Wu-Tang’s one-of-a-kind record](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/martin-shkreli-can-be-sued-for-copying-wu-tangs-one-of-a-kind-record/): Wu-Tang’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin Disgraced pharma bro, convicted felon, and perennial challenger for America’s Most Hateable Man, Martin Shkreli will have to face a lawsuit for making copies of the Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. US District Judge Pamela Chen issued a decision on Thursday that dismissed some claims by the album’s current owners, PleasrDAO, but will allow the suit alleging “misappropriation of trade secrets” to continue. Trade secrets might seem like an odd way to describe the most exclusive album ever made, but Chen says in her decision that: “Trade secrets include all […] - [Switch 2 controllers and the OnePlus Watch 3 top our list of the best deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/switch-2-controllers-and-the-oneplus-watch-3-top-our-list-of-the-best-deals-this-week/): Nintendo’s first-party Switch 2 Pro Controller can’t be beaten when it comes to its breadth of features and comfort. But at $89.99, let’s be real, it’s way too expensive for most people. Thankfully, a controller I’ve been testing recently, which is nearly as good despite lacking a 3.5mm audio jack, is currently on sale for $40 less. The EasySMX S10, as it’s called, is available for $50.39 from EasySMX with code GETS10. The S10 is comfortable to use for long gaming sessions, and it has features that aren’t commonly built into third-party gamepads, including amiibo support and rumble that feels […] - [The strangest game of the year is a channel-surfing simulator](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-strangest-game-of-the-year-is-a-channel-surfing-simulator/): It’s not quite October yet, and there are still plenty of video games set to be released before the end of the year. Even still, I’m pretty convinced that Blippo Plus will go down as the strangest release of 2025. Calling it a game might be a bit of a misnomer; it’s more of an alien television simulator. The idea is that, for reasons that aren’t immediately clear, you’re able to tune into a TV network from another world, the titular Blippo Plus. You don’t really “play” the game, but rather flip around the channels – there are FMV shows […] - [Is Silicon Valley Still the Tech Capital?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/is-silicon-valley-still-the-tech-capital/): On this special episode of Uncanny Valley recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco, our hosts discuss Silicon Valley’s history and future. - [The Blink security camera app was down, but Amazon rolled out a fix](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-blink-security-camera-app-was-down-but-amazon-rolled-out-a-fix/): The app for Amazon’s Blink security cameras experienced an issue for a few hours Friday night prevented users from accessing their cameras, but Amazon has rolled out a fix, spokesperson Emma Daniels tells The Verge. Users on Amazon’s general Blink support forum and on the Blink Cameras subreddit reported issues accessing the app, with many running into a vague error with a 503 status code. In a thread on Reddit with more than 150 comments, users from all over the US, including California, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, reported seeing the 503 error. That thread was first posted at […] - [Trump’s new target: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trumps-new-target-microsoft-head-of-global-affairs-lisa-monaco/): Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco speaks during an Election Threats Task Force meeting at the Justice Department on September 4, 2024. After successfully manipulating Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and eventually failing to cancel Jimmy Kimmel, President Donald Trump has named his next target for retribution: Microsoft head of global affairs Lisa Monaco. He’s calling for her to be fired. On Truth Social, Trump claims that Monaco, who just took the job in May and only announced publicly a month ago, is “corrupt,” “deranged,” “a menace to U.S. national security,” and other forms of badmouthing, but it seems her biggest crime […] - [Microsoft Photos will soon auto-categorize your pictures](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-photos-will-soon-auto-categorize-your-pictures/): Microsoft is testing a way that will make it easier to sift through all the clutter in your photo library. An update coming to all Windows 11 Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs introduces a new AI-powered feature on the Photos app that will place images of receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes in their own folders. Microsoft says the Photos app will automatically categorize these images based on their visual contents, even if the text in the image is in a language other than English. That means a photo of a Hungarian passport, for example, will still be sorted […] - [Google’s Conversational Photo Editor Is the Rare AI Feature People Will Actually Use](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-conversational-photo-editor-is-the-rare-ai-feature-people-will-actually-use/): Google’s tool greatly simplifies photo editing; just tell your phone what changes you want in the photo, and it’ll execute them. It also hints at the coming leap in how we interact with computers. - [Meta Poaches OpenAI Scientist to Help Lead AI Lab](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-poaches-openai-scientist-to-help-lead-ai-lab/): Yang Song, who previously led the strategic explorations team at OpenAI, is the new “research principal” of Meta Superintelligence Labs. - [Microsoft and Asus open Xbox Ally preorders — the X costs $999](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-asus-open-xbox-ally-preorders-the-x-costs-999/): Today, Microsoft and Asus are officially opening preorders for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X at $599 and $999 respectively in the US. They’re $799 CAD and $1299 CAD in Canada, €599 and €899 in Europe, £499 and £799 in the UK, and $799 AUD and $1599 AUD in Australia. They both ship October 16th. (In the United States, the Xbox Ally X will be exclusive to Best Buy, the Asus Shop, and Microsoft; the Xbox Ally is going wider at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Microsoft, the Asus Shop, and Ant Online.) There’s a few different ways […] - [Hell yeah, I want a Gundam keyboard with Topre switches](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hell-yeah-i-want-a-gundam-keyboard-with-topre-switches/): Japanese keyboard brand Realforce is teaming up with the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise and releasing four limited edition mechanical keyboards inspired by popular Gundam designs. The four keyboards are based on the Z Gundam and Hyaku Shiki from Zeta Gundam and the Nu Gundam and Sazabi of Char’s Counterattack fame. Realforce’s Japanese site indicates reservations will begin in late December, but there is no pricing. All four models are based on the Realforce GX1, a wired tenkeyless keyboard that normally runs $250-ish. Realforce keyboards are made by the Topre Corporation; they use capacitive Topre switches, like the cult classic Happy […] - [Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser is retiring](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendo-of-america-boss-doug-bowser-is-retiring/): One of Nintendo’s most recognizable names is stepping down. Today the company announced that the aptly named Doug Bowser, who took over as president of Nintendo of America from Reggie Fils-Aimé in 2019, will be retiring. He’ll stay on until the end of the year — December 31st, to be precise — and will be replaced by Devon Pritchard, who currently serves as executive vice president of NoA. Bowser, who was in charge of sales and marketing before taking over the top job at NoA, was in the role for six years and oversaw a dramatic expansion for Nintendo, which […] - [This AI-Powered Robot Keeps Going Even if You Attack It With a Chainsaw](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-ai-powered-robot-keeps-going-even-if-you-attack-it-with-a-chainsaw/): A single AI model trained to control numerous robotic bodies can operate unfamiliar hardware and adapt eerily well to serious injuries. - [A Startup Used AI to Make a Psychedelic Without the Trip](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/a-startup-used-ai-to-make-a-psychedelic-without-the-trip/): Mindstate Design Labs, backed by Silicon Valley power players, has created what its CEO calls “the least psychedelic psychedelic that’s psychoactive.” - [Google just asked the Supreme Court to save it from the Epic ruling](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/google-just-asked-the-supreme-court-to-save-it-from-the-epic-ruling/): “The Supreme Court is Google’s last hope to avoid an Epic reckoning in October,” I wrote last week. Google apparently agrees. Today, it’s finally elevated its Epic v. Google case, the one that might fracture its control over the entire Android app ecosystem, to the Supreme Court level. Google has now confirmed it will appeal its case to the Supreme Court, and in the meanwhile, it’s asking the Court to press pause one more time on the permanent injunction that would start taking away its control. On September 12th, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that permanent injunction and […] - [Nintendo’s new Fire Emblem mobile game has an Among Us-style twist](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nintendos-new-fire-emblem-mobile-game-has-an-among-us-style-twist/): Nintendo is releasing a new Fire Emblem mobile game, Fire Emblem Shadows. The company says the game is a spinoff of the series and “introduces a new style of battles featuring role-playing and social deduction.” The company’s description of the game indicates that Shadows will have Among Us-like elements of treachery:  One of the three allies participating in each battle is secretly a treacherous disciple of shadow. Players choose to take on the role of either a disciple of light, aiming to find their way through the labyrinth, or a disciple of shadow. After the initial battle, players vote to […] - [The best Apple deals to shop ahead of Amazon’s fall Prime Day event](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-apple-deals-to-shop-ahead-of-amazons-fall-prime-day-event/): The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently down to $649, matching its lowest price to date. If the past is any indication, Prime Big Deal Days — Amazon’s upcoming fall Prime Day event — should deliver a wave of deals on Apple devices, letting you save on everything from AirPods and AirTags to the latest iPad. But if you can’t wait until the sale kicks off on October 7th to land a bargain, you don’t have to. A few Apple products are already receiving sizable discounts at Amazon and other retailers, giving you the chance to save ahead of Amazon’s […] - [OpenAI Teams Up With Oracle and SoftBank to Build 5 New Stargate Data Centers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-teams-up-with-oracle-and-softbank-to-build-5-new-stargate-data-centers/): The new sites will boost Stargate’s planned capacity to nearly 7 gigawatts—about equal to the output of seven large nuclear reactors. - [Why One VC Thinks Quantum Is a Bigger Unlock Than AGI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-one-vc-thinks-quantum-is-a-bigger-unlock-than-agi/): Venture capitalist Alexa von Tobel is ready to bet on quantum computing—starting with hardware. - [iFixit zooms in on reports of an iPhone 17 Pro scratch problem](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ifixit-zooms-in-on-reports-of-an-iphone-17-pro-scratch-problem/): The iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange. Apple’s new, anodized aluminum iPhone 17 Pro phones have drawn attention for reportedly being easy to scratch around the camera “plateau,” and iFixit has investigated the issue in microscopic detail in its teardown video for the phones. Here are some pictures showing just what those scratches look like under a digital microscope: iFixit talked to David Niebuhr, an engineer and professor of mechanical engineering, who has an explanation for why scratches around the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera plateau stick out so much with spalling damage that didn’t appear in tests of other areas. […] - [Pokémon lawyers won’t sue DHS for that video, former legal head predicts](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/pokemon-lawyers-wont-sue-dhs-for-that-video-former-legal-head-predicts/): We did not mock up these images; they’re part of the DHS video. | Images: DHS / Pokemon Yesterday afternoon, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a piece of disgusting propaganda that glorifies the concept of a militarized police state forcefully entering people’s homes and businesses and leading them away in handcuffs and zip ties — all set to the classic Pokémon theme song and using numerous pieces of obviously copyrighted imagery from the ‘90s TV show. There’s no chance The Pokémon Company, notorious for protecting their family-friendly reputation and profits with legal action, would let that fly, […] - [YouTube will let creators who spread covid misinformation back on the site](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-will-let-creators-who-spread-covid-misinformation-back-on-the-site/): Google has announced it will reverse a major content moderation decision: YouTube will offer channels that were banned for spreading covid and election misinformation in 2020 a pathway back onto the platform. In a letter sent to the House Judiciary Committee, Alphabet’s lawyers claimed that the Biden administration had previously “pressed the Company” to remove user-generated Covid-19 content that had not violated Alphabet’s policies, and that the “political atmosphere” had forced their hand. “It is unacceptable and wrong when any government, including the Biden Administration, attempts to dictate how the Company moderates content,” they wr … Read the full story […] - [Louisiana Hands Meta a Tax Break and Power for Its Biggest Data Center](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/louisiana-hands-meta-a-tax-break-and-power-for-its-biggest-data-center/): Mark Zuckerberg’s company faces backlash after rowing back promises to create between 300 and 500 new jobs to man its subsidiary’s new data center. - [I Thought I Knew Silicon Valley. I Was Wrong](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-thought-i-knew-silicon-valley-i-was-wrong/): Tech got what it wanted by electing Trump. A year later, it looks more like a suicide pact. - [Palworld is getting a farming spinoff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/palworld-is-getting-a-farming-spinoff/): A screenshot of Palworld: Palfarm. Palworld won’t hit 1.0 until next year, but developer Pocketpair is already announcing a farming spinoff: Palworld: Palfarm. Basically, it sounds like the Palworld version of farming simulator games like Stardew Valley. “Each Pal will lend a hand in farm work by making use of their unique abilities,” Pocketpair says in a press release. “From sowing seeds and watering to harvesting, Pals make for reliable partners. Deepen your relationships with the island residents and Pals through daily conversation and gift-giving, and you may discover unexpected, special stories unfolding.” You’ll also have to defend your farm […] - [Trump escalates crackdown by designating ‘Antifa’ a domestic terror group](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-escalates-crackdown-by-designating-antifa-a-domestic-terror-group/): The Trump administration’s crackdown on perceived left-wing threats following the death of Charlie Kirk continued on Monday evening, with Donald Trump announcing an executive order titled “Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization.” The order directs federal departments and agencies to “investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa, or for which Antifa or any person claiming to act on behalf of Antifa provided material support.” The impact of the order is unclear, as experts have noted that “domestic […] - [The AI-energy apocalypse might be a little overblown](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-energy-apocalypse-might-be-a-little-overblown/): People walk through the hallways at an Equinix data center in Ashburn, Virginia, on May 9, 2024. | Photo: Getty Images Even if AI turns out not to be as much of an energy hog as people are making it out to be, it could still spell out trouble for power grids across the US. Tech companies are already burning through increasing amounts of electricity to train and run new AI models. And they’re asking for a lot more electricity as they try to outcompete each other. That rising demand is already starting to reshape the energy system, with utilities […] - [The foldable iPhone might look like two iPhone Airs stuck together](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-foldable-iphone-might-look-like-two-iphone-airs-stuck-together/): While it seems like a foregone conclusion that there will be a foldable iPhone, possibly late next year, there hasn’t been much info about what it would look like. In the latest installment of his Power On newsletter Mark Gurman says he’s being told it will look more or less like two iPhone Airs stuck together.  That means it should be pretty thin, though potentially thicker than a Pixel 10 Pro Fold (10.8mm) and Galaxy Z Fold7 (8.9mm) since an iPhone Air comes in at 5.6mm thick. Though Ming-Chi Kuo’s sources suggest the foldable will be quite a bit thinner […] - [The touchscreen MacBook rumors are never ending](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-touchscreen-macbook-rumors-are-never-ending/): Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo took to X on Wednesday to claim that a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen was expected to enter mass production by late 2026. Today Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is following up to remind us that he was reporting on a touchscreen MacBook Pro way back in 2023. He confirmed Kuo’s timeline was correct. Since Gurman’s original story, the launch date has been pushed back from late 2025, to late 2026 or early 2027. Apple has traditionally been resistant to the idea of merging the iPad and MacBook lines, and still likely won’t do it completely. But according […] - [Montblanc is getting into the digital notepad game](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/montblanc-is-getting-into-the-digital-notepad-game/): If you’re the kind of person who owns leather driving gloves in multiple colors to match your different Jaguars, then there hasn’t been a digital paper option that could live up to your lofty luxury standards until now. But Montblanc is finally delivering a truly bougie take on the e-ink writing tablet. The $905 Montblanc Digital Paper writing tablet combines a basic black-and-white e-ink screen with a digital pen modeled on the company’s Meisterstück. As you’d expect you can jot down notes, sketch, and even annotate books in epub or PDF format. Technical details are relatively light. There’s a 3740 […] - [Big Tech Dreams of Putting Data Centers in Space](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/big-tech-dreams-of-putting-data-centers-in-space/): A sci-fi idea is gaining supporters, from billionaires to city councils. Whether it’s feasible is another matter. - [Distillation Can Make AI Models Smaller and Cheaper](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/distillation-can-make-ai-models-smaller-and-cheaper/): A fundamental technique lets researchers use a big, expensive model to train another model for less. - [Amazon, Google, and Microsoft warn employees to rush back to the US](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-google-and-microsoft-warn-employees-to-rush-back-to-the-us/): With new restrictions and fees on work visas in the US set to take effect at midnight tonight, it’s no surprise that many employers are advising workers abroad to return to the US. Leaked memos from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have been circulating on social media that instruct instruct any H-1B visa holders currently traveling to immediately make travel arrangements to land in the US before 12AM ET on Sunday September 21st. The companies all acknowledge the limited warning provided and apologize, promising to provide more guidance as the situation evolves. The memos also advise any H-1B employees and their […] - [Trump announces skilled worker visas will now cost $100,000](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-announces-skilled-worker-visas-will-now-cost-100000/): All the fawning by tech CEOs wasn’t enough to convince Donald Trump to back off his crusade against immigrants. Yesterday the president announced that the government would be adding a $100,000-a-year fee on all H-1B visas in an effort to discourage their use.  While many industries make significant use of the H-1B program to attract highly skilled foreign workers, the tech industry is particularly reliant. Amazon has roughly 14,000 H-1B workers across its multiple entities, far more than any other company according to data from the federal government. But Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Tata Consultancy (a major IT services […] - [Prime members can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/prime-members-can-get-three-months-of-kindle-unlimited-for-free/): A three-month Kindle Unlimited subscription is free for Amazon Prime members right now. A cool new perk recently became available for Prime members: for a limited time, you can get a three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited. If your ebookshelf is looking bare, Amazon is currently offering a three-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited for free. The service typically costs $11.99 per month, so the deal saves you $35.97 over the course of the trial. Keep in mind that your subscription will automatically renew once the trial period is over. The discount is one of Amazon’s early Prime Big Deal Days deals […] - [YouTube Thinks AI Is Its Next Big Bang](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-thinks-ai-is-its-next-big-bang/): On its 20th anniversary, YouTube is venturing into an era of AI-generated video, and may never be the same. - [Meta Accused of Torrenting Porn to Advance Its Goal of AI ‘Superintelligence’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-accused-of-torrenting-porn-to-advance-its-goal-of-ai-superintelligence/): Strike 3 Holdings is suing Meta in federal court, alleging the tech giant pirated copyrighted adult videos to train its AI models. - [Trump claims the US is about to get a tremendous fee for taking TikTok out of China](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/trump-claims-the-us-is-about-to-get-a-tremendous-fee-for-taking-tiktok-out-of-china/): A 10 percent stake in Intel, 15 percent of Nvidia’s China sales, a “golden share” of Nippon Steel — what price will Trump extract next in exchange for favorable treatment? Well, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Trump Administration is “expected to collect a multibillion-dollar fee” in exchange for negotiating a US takeover of TikTok’s US business. That fee will reportedly come from TikTok’s US investors, including private equity firm Silver Lake and Oracle, with the new group getting half of TikTok, while TikTok China’s parent company ByteDance would still have under 20 percent. Yesterday, Trump said that […] - [Windows 11 is adding another Copilot button nobody asked for](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/windows-11-is-adding-another-copilot-button-nobody-asked-for/): Have enough Copilot buttons in your life? No you don’t — have another one! This one pops up in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview when mousing over an open app in your taskbar; it lets you share the contents with Copilot Vision. Want to know who is celebrating in that dogpile on the mound, or dig a little deeper on that sculpture you took a photo of? Just click that “Share with Copilot” button that pops up in the window preview. Copilot Vision scans what’s on your screen, analyzes it, and lets you discuss the contents of the window […] - [Ex-Disney CEO Michael Eisner calls the FCC’s threats ‘out-of-control intimidation’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ex-disney-ceo-michael-eisner-calls-the-fccs-threats-out-of-control-intimidation/): Michael Eisner, Disney’s former CEO who ran the company for 21 years and oversaw its acquisition of ABC in 1995, does not think his successor, Bob Iger, made the right decision in moving to put Jimmy Kimmel Live! on indefinite pause following threats from Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr. In a post to X about the Kimmel situation, Eisner – who once opted to suppress the theatrical release of Martin Scorsese’s Kundun in response to pressure from the Chinese government – wrote, “Where has all the leadership gone?” Michael Eisner, who served as CEO of Disney for 21 years and […] - [Move Aside, Chatbots: AI Humanoids Are Here](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/move-aside-chatbots-ai-humanoids-are-here/): Today on Uncanny Valley, we talk about why the AI industry is investing in the development of humanoid robots, and what that means for us non-robots. - [Jensen Huang Wants You to Know He’s Getting a Lot Out of the ‘Fantastic’ Nvidia-Intel Deal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/jensen-huang-wants-you-to-know-hes-getting-a-lot-out-of-the-fantastic-nvidia-intel-deal/): Nvidia is investing $5 billion in Intel. The news comes after the US government took a roughly 10 percent equity stake in the struggling chipmaker. - [China Turns Legacy Chips Into a Trade Weapon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/china-turns-legacy-chips-into-a-trade-weapon/): As Washington pushes for a TikTok deal, Beijing is countering with probes into American chipmakers. - [Intel says Arc GPUs will live on after Nvidia deal](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/intel-says-arc-gpus-will-live-on-after-nvidia-deal/): In the future, Intel will make CPUs with Nvidia graphics inside — among other things, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed today that Nvidia will contribute “GPU chiplets” that Intel can place alongside its x86 CPU cores instead of the Arc integrated graphics it develops in-house today. But, at least for now, Intel says that doesn’t mean Intel’s own graphics are going away. “We’re not discussing specific roadmaps at this time, but the collaboration is complementary to Intel’s roadmap and Intel will continue to have GPU product offerings,” Intel told PCWorld, reiterating the commitment that Intel’s Michelle Johnston Holthaus made before […] - [How to find the best deals during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-find-the-best-deals-during-amazons-october-prime-day-sale/): Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and it’s returning October 7th and 8th. The two-day shopping affair will grant Prime members access to some of the best prices of the year on Amazon devices, as well as products from Sony, Sonos, Microsoft, Apple, Withings, and other well-known brands. This applies to items spanning a range of categories, including gaming peripherals, laptops, 4K TVs, phones, PC accessories, and more. Use a price-tracking tool or deal aggregator Set up deal alert notifications through Alexa or the Amazon app Look for deals outside of […] - [Nothing’s charging case Super Mic is a small upgrade to earbud audio](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nothings-charging-case-super-mic-is-a-small-upgrade-to-earbud-audio/): TALK. The microphones in your earbuds probably suck. You know, I know it, and apparently Nothing knows it too. Its fix? Better microphones – but in the charging case, not the buds. The Ear 3 buds feature what the company calls “Super Mic.” What that really means is a pair of microphones built into the earbuds’ case, with a button to activate those mics instead of the ones built into the buds. Nothing’s pitch is that the beamforming microphones in the case can deliver clearer audio and better noise cancelling, which probably mostly comes down to the fact that you […] - [Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Is Bananas for Google Gemini’s AI Image Generator](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-is-bananas-for-google-geminis-ai-image-generator/): The Nvidia CEO reveals his consuming love for Google’s image generator, the artsy side of Grok, and what exactly he uses Perplexity, Gemini, and ChatGPT for right now. - [Meta Connect 2025: the 6 biggest announcements](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-connect-2025-the-6-biggest-announcements/): Meta just showed off all the latest in wearable technology, virtual reality, augmented reality, and more at its annual Connect keynote. In addition to the long-awaited reveal of Meta’s updated Ray-Ban smart glasses, the company had some other exciting surprises to share, too. Here’s a roundup of all the new tech and software updates announced by Meta. Meta’s display-equipped smart specs make their debut Rumors have swirled for months about Meta launching a pair of smart glasses with a display, and now they’re finally here. The glasses, dubbed the Meta Ray-Ban Display, feature a full-color, high-res screen in the right […] - [Meta’s Ray-Ban Gen 2 and Oakley Vanguard glasses are available to preorder](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/metas-ray-ban-gen-2-and-oakley-vanguard-glasses-are-available-to-preorder/): At its Connect keynote on Wednesday, Meta officially introduced the $799.99 Meta Ray-Ban Display, also known as Hypernova. The brand’s new, high-end smart glasses feature an in-lens display you can control with wrist-based gestures via the new Meta Neural Band that’s included. The display pairs with your phone and allows you to see everything from text messages and Instagram Reels to maps and more – all without having to pull out your device. They seem like a more fully-realized version of Google Glass, and they’ll be released on September 30th. That’s also when in-store demos will be available at Best […] - [Meta is bringing an all-in-one movie and TV streaming hub to Quest headsets](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-is-bringing-an-all-in-one-movie-and-tv-streaming-hub-to-quest-headsets/): Horizon TV puts your streaming apps in one spot. | Image: Meta Meta is making it easier to stream movies and TV shows on your Quest headset. During its Meta Connect keynote on Wednesday, the company announced that it’s rolling out a Horizon TV hub with access to streaming apps like Prime Video, Peacock, Twitch, and — finally — Disney Plus with Hulu and ESPN. The image shared by Meta shows content recommendations and streaming apps lined up on the homepage, along with tabs to switch between movies, TV shows, “immersive” experiences, sports, music, and your watchlist. It’s unclear whether […] - [US Tech Giants Race to Spend Billions in UK AI Push](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/us-tech-giants-race-to-spend-billions-in-uk-ai-push/): Microsoft and Nvidia unveiled plans to invest up to $45 billion in the UK during US President Donald Trump’s state visit. - [OpenAI's Teen Safety Features Will Walk a Thin Line](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-teen-safety-features-will-walk-a-thin-line/): CEO Sam Altman announced an age-prediction system and new parental controls in a blog post on Tuesday. - [Matthew Prince Wants AI Companies to Pay for Their Sins](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/matthew-prince-wants-ai-companies-to-pay-for-their-sins/): The Cloudflare CEO joined The Big Interview to talk about standing up to content scraping, the internet’s potential futures, and his company’s relationship to Trump. - [Can Luigi Mangione get too big to jail?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/can-luigi-mangione-get-too-big-to-jail/): The first people in line on Tuesday, I was told, started camping out on the sidewalk two days ago. Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, was due in court at 9AM ET for a hearing in one of three concurrent criminal cases against him. And this time everyone was prepared for the mayhem: the signs, the fans, the livestreamers, the protests, the media circus. That’s why the line started even earlier than last time – the people who really wanted to get in to see him knew that no time was […] - [Sam Altman says ChatGPT will stop talking about suicide with teens](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altman-says-chatgpt-will-stop-talking-about-suicide-with-teens/): On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that the company was attempting to balance privacy, freedom, and teen safety – principles that, he admitted, were in conflict. His blog post came hours before a Senate hearing focused on examining the harm of AI chatbots, held by the subcommittee on crime and counterterrorism and featuring some parents of children who died by suicide after talking to chatbots. “We have to separate users who are under 18 from those who aren’t,” Altman wrote in the post, adding that the company is in the process of building an “age-prediction system to estimate age […] - [Charlie Kirk’s death got complicated by gamer brainrot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/charlie-kirks-death-got-complicated-by-gamer-brainrot/): Editor’s note: This issue of Regulator was sent to subscribers prior to the release of the indictment against Tyler Robinson. Though we have more hints about Robinson’s motives, what follows is still accurate about the videogame-referencing memes being a red herring. Hello and welcome to Regulator. For a moment, the fatal shooting of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk last week pushed an already divided nation to its brink. Members of Congress screamed at each other on the House floor: Democrats blamed Republicans for fostering gun culture and mass shootings, while Republicans blamed Democrats for branding them “Nazis” and … […] - [How AI Is Upending Politics, Tech, the Media, and More](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-ai-is-upending-politics-tech-the-media-and-more/): At WIRED’s AI Power Summit on Monday, industry executives and officials discussed the impact artificial intelligence is having on every corner of society—and where it goes from here. - [Hundreds of Google AI Workers Were Fired Amid Fight Over Working Conditions](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/hundreds-of-google-ai-workers-were-fired-amid-fight-over-working-conditions/): Over 200 contractors who work on improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, sources say. It’s the latest development in a conflict over pay and alleged poor working conditions. - [USA Today Enters Its Gen AI Era With a Chatbot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/usa-today-enters-its-gen-ai-era-with-a-chatbot/): DeeperDive, a new tool that converses with readers, is an effort to beat the AI industry at its own game. - [What’s next for Apple after the iPhone 17?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/whats-next-for-apple-after-the-iphone-17/): We only just put Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event behind us, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is already glancing into his crystal ball to see what’s next for the company. In today’s Power On newsletter Gurman says that there are at least 10 more products from Apple that are expected to launch either later this year or in the first half of 2026. Some of those products have been rumored for some time, or are just kind of obvious upgrades. The M5 iPad Pro, for instance, is a matter of when not if. Though the rumors that it will have a […] - [Rolling Stone’s parent company sues Google over AI Overviews](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rolling-stones-parent-company-sues-google-over-ai-overviews/): Disclosure: Penske Media Corporation is an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company. Penske Media Corporation, the publisher of Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter, has become the first major American media company to sue Google over its AI summaries. The company claims that the AI Overviews that often appear at the top of search results leave users with little reason to click through to the source, hurting traffic and illegally benefitting from the work of its reporters.  While Penske Media is the biggest name to take on Google over its AI Overviews, it’s not the first. Online education […] - [The Helldivers community is coping with a spotlight it doesn’t want](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-helldivers-community-is-coping-with-a-spotlight-it-doesnt-want/): “Yesterday was an interesting day for the Helldivers community.” That’s the very obvious understatement that announced the reopening of the Helldivers gaming subreddit in the small hours of Saturday morning. On Friday it was discovered that Tyler Robinson, arrested for the alleged killing of Charlie Kirk, had inscribed messages on the casings of several bullets found at the crime scene. One of those read “Hey fascist! Catch!” accompanied by an up arrow symbol, a right arrow, and three down arrows, a reference to the code to call down the 500KG Bomb stratagem in the cooperative shooter Helldivers 2. Unsurprisingly, within […] - [Liam Hemsworth is Geralt in the first Witcher season 4 trailer](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/liam-hemsworth-is-geralt-in-the-first-witcher-season-4-trailer/): It’s been a few years since Netflix confirmed that Liam Hemsworth would be taking over as Geralt of Rivia in the live-action Witcher series. And while we caught a brief glimpse of him in action last year, the first proper clip from season 4 of the show reveals just how Hemsworth will be inhabiting the role — including his take on Geralt’s signature growling voice. In addition to giving us a better look at Geralt, Netflix also confirmed that The Witcher’s newest season is coming out pretty soon: it will start streaming on October 30th. The show’s end is in […] - [Time is running out to get half off a year of Paramount Plus](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/time-is-running-out-to-get-half-off-a-year-of-paramount-plus/): It’s September, and many among us are dealing with back to school, and anticipating the colder weather that’s on its way (at least, if you live in the northern climes). This, plus a somewhat fraught political atmosphere, means that you might be looking for reliable, affordable ways to escape the doldrums. You don’t need us to tell you that a way to do that is by watching some movies and TV shows. Through September 18th, Paramount is offering a doozy of a deal on both tiers of its Plus streaming service. You can save 50 percent on an annual subscription […] - [Spotify Lossless is an inconvenient improvement](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/spotify-lossless-is-an-inconvenient-improvement/): If you listen to music the way a lot of people do these days – with a pair of wireless earbuds, from a Bluetooth speaker, or just blaring directly out of your phone – you will never notice a difference between Spotify’s high-quality 320Kbps streams and its lossless audio. But, if you usually listen with wired headphones while working at your desk, or have a quality speaker from the likes of Bose that supports Spotify Connect, there actually is something to be gained here. Comparing Spotify’s normal quality streams (96Kbps) with the new 24-bit / 44.1kHz lossless FLAC files feels […] - [I Wasn’t Sure I Wanted Anthropic to Pay Me for My Books—I Do Now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-wasnt-sure-i-wanted-anthropic-to-pay-me-for-my-books-i-do-now/): Anthropic agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement for authors whose books were used to train its AI model. As an author who fits that description, I’ve come around to the idea. - [Tucker Carlson asks Sam Altman if an OpenAI employee was murdered ‘on your orders’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tucker-carlson-asks-sam-altman-if-an-openai-employee-was-murdered-on-your-orders/): While interviewing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this week, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson brought up his belief in a conspiracy theory that former OpenAI researcher Suchir Balaji was “definitely murdered.” The researcher’s death in November 2024, which was ruled a suicide by the San Francisco police, followed his release of statements online and in a New York Times article calling out OpenAI’s tech for alleged copyright violations.  In their back-and-forth about a half-hour into the chat, Carlson bluntly explains his reasons for believing the theory, and that “[Balji’s] mother claims he was murdered on your orders.” Altman brings up […] - [Elon Musk is trying to silence Microsoft employees who criticize Charlie Kirk](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musk-is-trying-to-silence-microsoft-employees-who-criticize-charlie-kirk/): Elon Musk is pressing Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to look into Blizzard employees who criticized Charlie Kirk after his death. Musk’s post quotes an X thread listing names and screenshots of the developers. “What’s going on here, @satyanadella?” Musk said. “These are Microsoft employees,” he added in another post. What’s going on here, @satyanadella? https://t.co/acO5poJMm8 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 12, 2025 Musk’s direct question to Nadella follows a broader censorship crackdown from Republicans targeting individuals celebrating Kirk’s death or criticizing him. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) said he would use “Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to […] - [The WSJ carelessly spread anti-trans misinformation](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-wsj-carelessly-spread-anti-trans-misinformation/): Rupert Murdoch’s fortress. | Photo: Getty Images While I generally respect The Wall Street Journal, every once in a while it sees fit to remind me that it is, in fact, owned by Rupert Murdoch. This time, it printed something dangerously close to anti-trans blood libel in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting. In its live-update blog yesterday, the Journal wrote, “Ammunition engraved with transgender and antifascist ideology was found inside the rifle authorities believe was used in Kirk’s shooting, according to an internal law enforcement bulletin and a source familiar with the investigation.” That language was echoed in social […] - [Microsoft and OpenAI have a new deal that could clear the way for an IPO](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-and-openai-have-a-new-deal-that-could-clear-the-way-for-an-ipo/): Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella (L), speaks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, who joined by video during the Microsoft Build 2025, conference in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2025. As OpenAI attempts to restructure itself and eventually go public, a hurdle for the startup, recently valued at $500 billion, is its increasingly complicated partnership with Microsoft.  On Thursday afternoon, the two companies released this joint statement about an agreement they’ve reached. Microsoft & OpenAI: Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the next phase of our partnership. We are actively […] - [Microsoft is making ‘significant investments’ in training its own AI models](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-is-making-significant-investments-in-training-its-own-ai-models/): Microsoft AI launched its first in-house models last month, adding to the already complicated relationship with its OpenAI partner. Now, Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says the company is making “significant investments” in the compute capacity required to Microsoft’s own future frontier models. “We should have the capacity to build world class frontier models in house of all sizes, but we should be very pragmatic and use other models where we need to,” said Suleyman during Microsoft’s employee-only town hall on Thursday. “We’re also going to be making significant investments in our own cluster, so today MAI-1-preview was only trained […] - [Republicans pledge censorship crackdown to avenge Charlie Kirk’s death](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/republicans-pledge-censorship-crackdown-to-avenge-charlie-kirks-death/): In the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting, some political figures are threatening a crackdown on free speech – a cause Kirk claimed to fight for. Members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump have all attacked people who celebrated Kirk’s death online or criticized him while he was alive, in some cases saying they’ll use the government’s authority to punish statements almost certainly protected by the First Amendment. While it remains unclear who killed Kirk or why at a college campus in Utah Wednesday, Republican political figures all the way up to Trump have threatened […] - [Microsoft’s AI Chief Says Machine Consciousness Is an ‘Illusion’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-ai-chief-says-machine-consciousness-is-an-illusion/): Mustafa Suleyman says that designing AI systems to exceed human intelligence—and to mimic behavior that suggests consciousness—would be “dangerous and misguided.” - [Melania Trump’s AI Era Is Upon Us](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/melania-trumps-ai-era-is-upon-us/): The ever elusive first lady has emerged with a brief to exert thought leadership over AI, for the children. Some insiders are excited; others won’t touch the subject with a 10-foot pole. - [Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Turning Point USA event in Utah](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/charlie-kirk-fatally-shot-at-turning-point-usa-event-in-utah/): Charlie Kirk, the influencer and activist who co-founded right-wing group Turning Point USA, has died at the age of 31 after being shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University, according to his spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, speaking to the New York Times. Deseret News had earlier reported Kirk’s death, according to Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, and President Donald Trump said Kirk is dead in a post on Truth Social at 4:40PM ET. At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that “we have a person of interest in custody,” minutes after FBI Director […] - [How platforms are responding to the Charlie Kirk shooting](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-platforms-are-responding-to-the-charlie-kirk-shooting/): Horrifying videos of influencer and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk being fatally shot were widely available on social media platforms. We’ve reached out to some of the platforms to ask how they will be treating the videos and charged posts about the shooting. So far, we’re aware of responses from Bluesky, Meta, Reddit, and YouTube. Bluesky: “Glorifying violence or harm violates Bluesky’s Community Guidelines,” Bluesky said on its Bluesky Safety account. “We review reports and take action on content that celebrates harm against anyone. Violence has no place in healthy public discourse, and we’re committed to fostering healthy, open conversations.” Meta: […] - [OpenAI reportedly signs $300 billion Project Stargate cloud deal with Oracle](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-reportedly-signs-300-billion-project-stargate-cloud-deal-with-oracle/): OpenAI and Oracle signed a deal “to purchase $300 billion in computing power over roughly five years,” one of the largest cloud computing deals ever, reports the Wall Street Journal. In July, the two companies revealed their partnership to build data centers worth 4.5 gigawatts of power as part of the broader Stargate project they announced with Softbank and President Trump, without explaining how much OpenAI planned to pay for the datacenters. OpenAI’s contract will begin in 2027, according to the report.  OpenAI, which reportedly expects $12.7 billion in revenue this year, is also likely behind another $10 billion contract […] - [Inside the Man vs. Machine Hackathon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/inside-the-man-vs-machine-hackathon/): At a weekend hackathon in San Francisco, more than 100 coders gathered to test whether they could beat AI—and win a $12,500 cash prize. - [Netflix signs a three year deal to stream MLB live events and games](https://sktech.biz/?p=6396): Today, Major League Baseball announced new media rights deals with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix that run for the next three seasons. The Netflix deal brings live MLB games to its platform and continues to grow its library of sports programming in an arrangement that Front Office Sports reports is worth about $50 million per year. Netflix will stream a single game on Opening Night of each season, the Home Run Derby, and one “special event game” each year. In 2026, that will cover the “Field of Dreams” game broadcast from Dyersville, Iowa, on August 13th, 2026, between the Minnesota Twins […] - [Gemini 3 Is Here—and Google Says It Will Make Search Smarter](https://sktech.biz/?p=6371): Gemini 3 is skilled at reasoning, generating video, and writing code. Amid talk of an AI bubble, Google notes the new model could help increase search revenue too. - [Microsoft’s Agent 365 Wants to Help You Manage Your AI Bot Army](https://sktech.biz/?p=6370): Microsoft still sees AI agents as the future of work, and the enterprise software giant wants companies to be able to manage those agents just like human employees. - [‘Odd Lots’ Cohost Joe Weisenthal Has Predictions About How the AI Bubble Will Burst](https://sktech.biz/?p=6369): Much of the US economy rests on AI’s future. On this episode of The Big Interview podcast, Odd Lots cohost Joe Weisenthal breaks down why AI’s impact on finance goes beyond billion-dollar investments. - [Cloudflare explains Tuesday’s outage that temporarily took down ChatGPT](https://sktech.biz/?p=6368): A blog post published Tuesday night by Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince has details on what caused its “worst outage since 2019,” pinning the issue to a problem in the Bot Management system that is supposed to control which automated crawlers are allowed to scan particular websites using its CDN. Cloudflare said last year that about 20 percent of the web runs through its network, which is supposed to share the load to keep websites online in the face of traffic spikes and DDoS attacks. But today’s crash disconnected many of them, knocking out everything from X to ChatGPT […] - [The 4 Things You Need for a Tech Bubble](https://sktech.biz/?p=6332): On this episode of Uncanny Valley, guest Brian Merchant walks us through a historical framework he used to analyze whether AI fits the classic signs of an economic bubble—and what that means for all of us. - [OpenAI's Fidji Simo Plans to Make ChatGPT Way More Useful—and Have You Pay For It](https://sktech.biz/?p=6331): As OpenAI expands in every direction, the new CEO of Applications is on a mission to make ChatGPT indispensable and lucrative. - [Google is fighting the defamation battle Meta caved on](https://sktech.biz/?p=6330): Google filed a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by anti-corporate diversity activist Robby Starbuck, who claimed Google’s AI falsely associated him with sexual assault allegations and a white nationalist. Starbuck’s claims against Google came after he filed a similar lawsuit against Meta, whose AI he claimed falsely asserted that he’d participated in the January 6th riot at the US Capitol. But Meta settled that lawsuit in August and even hired Starbuck as an advisor to help address “ideological and political bias” in its AI chatbot, The Wall Street Journal reported. The outlet noted last month that so far, […] - [Use Google Gemini and ChatGPT to Organize Your Life With Scheduled Actions](https://sktech.biz/?p=6303): The AI’s latest trick is following the schedule you set for it. - [Sky Sports killed off its female-focused Halo brand after just three days](https://sktech.biz/?p=6302): Girls like pink and peach, right? That Sky Sports felt the need to launch a TikTok channel specifically marketed towards women and billed as its “lil sis” was questionable enough. But once people got a taste of the content on Halo, it was clear the company had absolutely no idea what it was doing. Halo didn’t focus on women’s sports, nor did it seem to be doing a good job of elevating female voices in a male-dominated business. Instead, it slapped pink sparkly letters on videos, talked about “hot girl walks,” matcha, and posted shipping memes. Unsurprisingly, the backlash was […] - [You need to listen to the searing noise pop album Forever in Your Heart](https://sktech.biz/?p=6301): The cover goes as hard as the album does. There’s something irresistible about music that sounds as if it’s coming apart at the seams. The Black Dresses are masters of barely contained chaos. All of their records feel as if they’re in danger of collapsing into pure noise at any moment. But never have they so expertly woven the various threads of their sound – glitchy percussion, pummeling guitars, irresistible pop hooks – together as they do on Forever in Your Heart. The Canadian duo of Ada Rook and Devi McCallion crafts something undeniably catchy from abrasive electronics, metallic percussion, […] - [Stereogum soldiers on in the era of streaming and AI](https://sktech.biz/?p=6300): If you’re an indie rock fan of a certain age, the name Stereogum will probably conjure strong feelings. The site was launched “January 1st, 2002, on a whim,” founder Scott Lapatine told The Verge. Originally, this early staple of the music blog era was focused almost entirely on music discovery and posting MP3s. “It was the early days of like Windows Media Player and Real Player,” Scott remembers. Today, the site is focused on music journalism and has just relaunched to keep up with a media landscape being overrun by AI. Lapatine has been with Stereogum from the beginning, and […] - [How to Use the New AI Features in OmniFocus, the Power User’s To-Do List](https://sktech.biz/?p=6292): One of the Mac’s most popular productivity apps is incorporating generative artificial intelligence in a way that keeps it offline, private, and customizable. - [Tim Cook could step down as Apple CEO next year](https://sktech.biz/?p=6291): Wave goodbye. According to the Financial Times, Tim Cook could step down as Apple CEO as early as next year. And the board has started to seriously work out a succession plan. FT says that John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice-president of hardware engineering, is considered the frontrunner for the position. Cook, who turned 65 recently, has been CEO for 14 years and overseen both incredible growth and his fair share of controversies. He’s also largely seen as responsible for Apple’s shift to outsourcing manufacturing, which has enabled it to operate at much larger scales than it did traditionally.  Rumors of Cook’s stepping down follow […] - [Here are 25 of our favorite outdoorsy deals from REI’s massive Holiday Sale](https://sktech.biz/?p=6290): You can snag the high-end Garmin Fenix 8 for a whopping $250 off right now. REI doesn’t do Black Friday, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to save this holiday season. The outdoor retailer’s annual Holiday Sale is now underway and runs through November 24th, offering up to 30 percent off gadgets and gear designed for the outdoors. Right now, you can save on Garmin watches, headlamps, sleeping pads, camp chairs, and Bluetooth speakers from brands like JBL, Yeti, and REI. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals you can shop, whether you’re upgrading your kit […] - [Possessor(s) is a fast-paced action game that gets off to a slow start](https://sktech.biz/?p=6289): I remember being blown away by the 2024 reveal trailer for Possessor(s), the new game from Hyper Light Drifter developer Heart Machine. The trailer features a striking art design, where an animated 2D character explores and fights in side-scrolling environments with gorgeous 3D backgrounds, and it’s all set to moody, powerful music. The final game, which came out this month, wasn’t quite as awe-inspiring as that initial trailer made it seem, and I almost quit it – but I’m really glad I saw it to the end. In Possessor(s), you play as Luca, a girl who is possessed by Rehm, […] - [The Data Center Resistance Has Arrived](https://sktech.biz/?p=6281): A new report finds that local opposition to data centers skyrocketed in the second quarter of this year. - [You Won’t Be Able to Offload Your Holiday Shopping to AI Agents Anytime Soon](https://sktech.biz/?p=6280): Chatbot developers and retail giants are battling over user data as they lay the foundation for a future in which AI agents can do all your online shopping for you. - [YouTube TV, ESPN, and Disney: the latest on the blackout that’s now over](https://sktech.biz/?p=6279): Disney and YouTube have reached an agreement to bring back ESPN and more than 20 other Disney-owned channels two weeks after they went dark on YouTube TV. During the dispute, Google has accused Disney of trying to raise prices for its customers in an effort to boost its own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo offerings, while Disney claimed that Google was being unreasonable and seeking preferential treatment and below-market rates. Google even gave YouTube TV customers a $20 credit for the inconvenience while the dispute was going on. And days before the deal was done, CEOs Bob Iger and […] - [Disney and ESPN are back on YouTube TV](https://sktech.biz/?p=6278): ESPN and other Disney-owned channels will be returning to YouTube TV following a new agreement announced Friday. More than 20 channels went dark on YouTube TV on October 30th, but two weeks later — and after CEOs Bob Iger and Sundar Pichai reportedly got more involved — the companies have reached a deal. As part of this new deal, ESPN’s “full lineup of sports” will be available to people who subscribe to the base YouTube TV plan by the end of next year, Variety reports. “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value […] - [AI Relationships Are on the Rise. A Divorce Boom Could Be Next](https://sktech.biz/?p=6257): Secret chatbot flings are creating new legal challenges for married couples when it comes to infidelity. - [OpenAI’s Open-Weight Models Are Coming to the US Military](https://sktech.biz/?p=6256): The gpt-oss models are being tested for use on sensitive military computers. But some defense insiders say that OpenAI is still behind the competition. - [What insiders anonymously think about the AI race](https://sktech.biz/?p=6255): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. I spent yesterday at Eric Newcomer’s Cerebral Valley conference in San Francisco, which is now in its third year. I’ve attended this event for three years in a row because Eric does a great job curating the speakers and the audience, and the conversations are more substantive than a typical industry event. This year was no exception; however, I found the most interesting part of the day to be when the results of an […] - [Anthropic’s Claude Takes Control of a Robot Dog](https://sktech.biz/?p=6209): Anthropic believes AI models will increasingly reach into the physical world. To understand where things are headed, it asked Claude to program a quadruped. - [The AI Boom Is Fueling a Need for Speed in Chip Networking](https://sktech.biz/?p=6208): Next-gen networking tech, sometimes powered by light instead of electricity, is emerging as a critical piece of AI infrastructure. - [All of My Employees Are AI Agents, and So Are My Executives](https://sktech.biz/?p=6207): Sam Altman says the one-person billion-dollar company is coming. Maybe I could be that person—if only I could get my colleagues to shut up and stop lying. - [Sony is making a Horizon MMO — here’s the video and details](https://sktech.biz/?p=6206): The rumored MMO set in Sony’s post-apocalyptic Horizon universe is real — and we’ve seen a video spilling details about the game before it’s been announced.  The new game is called Horizon Steel Frontiers, and Sony and the Korean video game company NCSoft are working on it together. Based on a more than 10-minute video we’ve seen featuring a mix of cinematic and pre-alpha gameplay footage as well as developer interviews, the game will focus strongly on fighting the Horizon series’ giant mechanical beasts and being able to do so with other people.  Here is that video: Horizon Steel Frontiers […] - [The best budget robot vacuums](https://sktech.biz/?p=6205): Editor’s note: Black Friday doesn’t officially take place until Friday, November 28th; however, if you want to shop ahead of time, we’ve rounded up the best early Black Friday deals you can already get. Today’s robot vacuums are becoming a bit like cars: with all the features, upgrades, and fancy trimmings available these days, it’s easy to forget that they can just be simple machines that get us from point A to point B. Yes, some bots blow hot air on their bums (mop pads), deftly navigate dog poop, and have arms to pick up your socks, but there are plenty of basic […] - [The Steam Frame has two speakers on each side of your face for vibration cancellation](https://sktech.biz/?p=6204): In its new Steam Frame VR headset, Valve put dual audio drivers on each side in the included head strap. That puts the audio near your ears while you’re wearing it, and in my brief time trying the device at Valve’s headquarters recently, I thought the sound was just fine. But the choice to have those dual drivers also helps reduce audio vibrations, which helps the headset with tracking while you’re playing games in VR, Valve hardware engineer Jeremy Selan tells The Verge. The Frame, like many other VR headsets, uses outward-facing cameras built into the main part of the […] - [The Former Staffer Calling Out OpenAI’s Erotica Claims](https://sktech.biz/?p=6163): Steven Adler used to lead product safety at OpenAI. On this week’s episode of The Big Interview, he talks about what AI users should know about their bots. - [Disney is losing over $4 million a day in revenue on the YouTube TV blackout](https://sktech.biz/?p=6162): Disney’s spat with Google’s YouTube TV over a new content distribution contract is costing the entertainment giant $4.3 million a day in lost revenue, Morgan Stanley estimates. That’s $30 million a week as the blackout of channels including ABC and ESPN stretches into its 12th day, Variety reports, though the analysts expect Disney and Google to reach a resolution by the end of the week. The dispute is also costing Google — Variety reports that a Drive Research survey of 1,100 US consumers found 24 percent canceled or planned to cancel their subscriptions. More than 20 Disney-owned channels went dark […] - [Pixel phones are getting notification summaries](https://sktech.biz/?p=6161): Google is releasing an update for Pixel phones with an interesting feature in the mix: notification summaries. Apple notably had plenty of trouble implementing its version of this AI-powered feature, and Google is taking a cautious first step by deploying it only for chat conversations. It’ll arrive as part of this month’s Pixel update for Pixel 9 series phones and newer — with the exception of the Pixel 9A. Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman shared a deep dive of the feature in August when code for it appeared in an Android 16 beta. As Rahman described, summaries are limited to chat […] - [Google is introducing its own version of Apple’s private AI cloud compute](https://sktech.biz/?p=6160): Google is rolling out a new cloud-based platform that lets users unlock advanced AI features on their devices while keeping data private. The feature, virtually identical to Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, comes as companies reconcile users’ demands for privacy with the growing computational needs of the latest AI applications. Many Google products run AI features like translation, audio summaries, and chatbot assistants, on-device, meaning data doesn’t leave your phone, Chromebook, or whatever it is you’re using. This isn’t sustainable, Google says, as advancing AI tools need more reasoning and computational power than devices can supply.  The compromise is to ship […] - [If the US Has to Build Data Centers, Here’s Where They Should Go](https://sktech.biz/?p=6142): A new analysis tries to calculate the coming environmental footprint of AI in the US and finds that the ideal sites for data centers aren’t where they’re being built. - [Alex Karp Goes to War](https://sktech.biz/?p=6141): Palantir’s CEO is good with ICE and says he defends human rights. But will Israel and Trump ever go too far for him? - [Amazon’s ‘House of David’ Used Over 350 AI Shots in Season 2. Its Creator Isn’t Sorry](https://sktech.biz/?p=6140): The show, which follows David’s ascent to King of Israel, used four times as much AI this season, including for many of its battle scenes. - [Siri Shortcuts now works with Samsung SmartThings routines](https://sktech.biz/?p=6139): Samsung’s latest SmartThings update adds support for Siri Shortcuts. In a press release, Samsung announced that you can now use Siri to run SmartThings routines, allowing you to use Apple’s voice assistant to control your smart home. Siri Shortcuts is a feature in iOS that lets you run automations by asking Siri. These can either be created by the user in the Shortcuts app or by the manufacturers in their app. This update should make it easier to control your SmartThings home using your iPhone, HomePod, or other Apple device. For example, you can now call on Siri to trigger […] - [The best early Black Friday deals we’ve found so far on laptops, TVs, and more](https://sktech.biz/?p=6138): The Google TV Streamer (4K) device is down to a record low price. Black Friday is the most anticipated day of the year for bargain hunters. While there’s still some time to go before November 28th, we’re already starting to see a selection of early discounts, allowing you to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Right now, for instance, you can get nearly 50 percent off select Fitbits, while Apple’s latest 13-inch MacBook Air — our pick for the best laptop — is down to an all-time low of $749.99. However, that’s just a taste of what’s to come […] - [Paramount Plus is getting a price hike in early 2026](https://sktech.biz/?p=6137): Paramount Plus is going up in price again. As part of its earnings report released on Monday, Paramount announced that it will raise prices for subscribers in the US on January 15th, 2026, bringing the ad-supported Essential plan from $7.99 to $8.99 per month, while the ad-free Premium plan will go from $12.99 to $13.99 per month. Paramount says the price increase will “fuel continued reinvestment in the user experience and deliver an even stronger slate of programming” going forward. Like many other streamers, Paramount has hiked the price of its streaming service on an almost yearly basis. Paramount Plus […] - [What Is Adobe Firefly? Here’s How to Use This Powerful Generative AI Tool](https://sktech.biz/?p=6114): Adobe Firefly is a deceptively powerful AI playground to generate images, videos, and more. Here’s how to make the most of it. - [Cleveland Guardians’ pitchers indicted for rigging online bets](https://sktech.biz/?p=6113): Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted in Brooklyn on charges that they conspired to illegally rig bets on pitches thrown during games. The two were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, among other things. According to the indictment: The defendants agreed in advance with their co-conspirators to throw specific types and speeds of pitches, and their co-conspirators used that inside information to place wagers on those pitches. In some instances, the defendants received bribes and kickback payments-funneled through third parties-in exchange for rigging pitches. The scheme […] - [You need to listen to this compilation of ‘80s Spanish ambient and electronic music](https://sktech.biz/?p=6112): Much of La Ola Interior (Spanish Ambient & Acid Exoticism 1983-1990) sounds shockingly contemporary for a collection of tracks recorded in the mid to late ’80s. Ambient as a genre was already relatively well established by the time many of the artists on this compilation recorded their songs. But as we neared the end of the century, much of the scene in the US and Japan was beginning to push into New Age territory. These artists from the Spanish peninsula were trafficking in something much more experimental. La Ola Interior covers a lot of stylistic ground. There’s despondent drones, classic […] - [YouTube TV, ESPN, and Disney: the latest on the blackout](https://sktech.biz/?p=6111): On October 31st, ESPN, ABC, Nat Geo, and over 20 other Disney-owned channels went dark on YouTube TV. As the two sides disagree about terms for a new content distribution contract, Google has accused Disney of trying to raise prices for its customers in an effort to boost its own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo offerings. Meanwhile, Disney claims that Google is being unreasonable and seeking preferential treatment and below-market rates, and streamed College GameDay for free during the dispute. It’s quite different from their 2021 carriage blackout, which was resolved within a couple of days. The two don’t […] - [Halo Infinite is about to get its last major update](https://sktech.biz/?p=6094): On November 18th, Operation: Infinite will be released for Halo Infinite players with a battle pass and lots of new customizations, but according to the team, that’s it for this game’s content updates: With multiple Halo titles in development, we’ll need our whole team’s combined focus to deliver new experiences with the same passion and care that our community has given us. While we remain committed to supporting Halo Infinite on the road ahead, Operation: Infinite is the last major content update currently planned. Putting this game into maintenance mode is an awkward counterpart after last month’s news of a […] - [Maybe Peloton is its own worst enemy](https://sktech.biz/?p=6093): A good product and loyal audience is a winning formula for everyone except, it seems, Peloton. For years – through its pandemic-fueled highs and its post-quarantine malaise – Peloton has held its earnings calls at a bright and bushy 8:30AM ET. Not yesterday. Instead, the company broke different news first thing in the morning: it issued yet another recall for 833,000 of its original Bike Plus units, before posting its Q1 2026 results after the markets closed at 4 o’clock. Peloton CEO Peter Stern addressed the recall right away during the company’s earnings call, stating the facts – that there […] - [I self-host my RSS feed reader, and it's so much better than Feedly](https://sktech.biz/?p=6072): RSS feed readers are the most effective way to stay on top of the news you want. With all of the advancements in technology, we have yet to see something that really surpasses the effectiveness and simplicity of an RSS feed aggregator, and that’s why pretty much every news website still offers an RSS feed (that includes XDA, by the way). - [Apple’s latest sci-fi series Pluribus luxuriates in its mystery](https://sktech.biz/?p=6071): Toward the end of the first episode of Pluribus, Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a woman put in a bizarre and impossible scenario, asks a very straightforward question: “What the fuck is happening?” It’s something you’ll likely be asking yourself a lot while watching. I certainly did. But that ongoing sense of mystery, and the measured pace with which Pluribus reveals itself, is one of the best parts of the new series from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. I can’t tell you a lot about Pluribus just yet – but I can tell you that being bewildered is part of the appeal. […] - [The best AirPods to buy](https://sktech.biz/?p=6070): Whether you’re buying your first pair of AirPods or replacing a well-used older pair, it’s easy to understand why so many iPhone owners prefer Apple’s earbuds and headphones over other options. Apple has spent years gradually adding new features that work best — and sometimes only work at all — with the company’s own devices. These convenient tricks include audio sharing, automatic switching between Apple’s various devices, live translation, Apple TV integration, and more. There are currently four AirPods models to choose from, each with its own distinct appeal and upside. You likely already know whether you’re more interested in […] - [Samsung’s new Switch 2-compatible microSD Express card is already on sale](https://sktech.biz/?p=6069): The Nintendo Switch 2 is backward compatible with most original Switch games, which is a great feature to tide early adopters (like me!) over until more Switch 2 exclusives launch. The console comes with 256GB of internal storage, but that probably won’t be enough room for your entire digital game library. Thankfully, however, Samsung’s 512GB P9 microSD Express card is already on sale for $94.99 ($5 off) at Amazon you clip the on-page coupon. The 256GB model is also available on Amazon, though only for its MSRP of $54.99. Samsung P9 microSD Express Card Where to Buy: $54.99 at Amazon (256GB) […] - [The AI Data Center Boom Is Warping the US Economy](https://sktech.biz/?p=6023): Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon are investing tens of billions in data centers. AI infrastructure is now a key driver of US economic growth. - [Meet the Chinese Startup Using AI—and a Team of Human Workers—to Train Robots](https://sktech.biz/?p=6022): AgiBot is using AI-powered robots to do new manufacturing tasks. Smarter machines may transform physical labor in China. - [Whisper Into This AI-Powered Smart Ring to Organize Your Thoughts](https://sktech.biz/?p=6021): A new company called Sandbar has unveiled a smart wearable called Stream Ring, which uses a microphone to record your softly spoken thoughts. And it’s powered by—you guessed it—an AI chatbot. - [Election night at Kalshi HQ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/election-night-at-kalshi-hq/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. At 8PM on election night in New York City, I arrived at an unmarked office building in the Meatpacking District. Inside, a few dozen young Kalshi employees moved between clusters of desks, pizza boxes, and a large projector displaying live markets for the day’s key races. The vibe was quiet but focused. On the screen, numbers flickered as bets adjusted in real time. Near the projector, co-founders Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara chatted […] - [Rode’s all-in-one video production console is now smaller and cheaper](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rodes-all-in-one-video-production-console-is-now-smaller-and-cheaper/): Rode’s new console is slightly smaller and more than half the price of last year’s version. | Image: Rode Rode has announced a new version of the Rodecaster Video portable production console it launched just over a year ago, but the Rodecaster Video S isn’t a replacement. The Rodecaster Video S offers similar functionality to the original, including switching and mixing multiple video and audio sources and replacing blue or green screens, but with an even smaller footprint and price.  The Rodecaster Video launched at $1,199 in late September 2024, while the new S version is available for preorder now […] - [Films from YouTube and Google Play are no longer available on Movies Anywhere](https://sktech.biz/?p=6018): If you logged into your Movies Anywhere account in the past few days, you might have noticed some titles missing from your library, specifically content purchased on Google Play and YouTube. As of October 31st, movies from either platform are no longer available on Movies Anywhere.  The change was announced on a brief help page on Movies Anywhere, which simply states: “Effective 10/31/25, Google Play/YouTube will no longer participate in the Movies Anywhere program.” There are no further details about the reasoning behind the break-up. It appears that movies that were already synced to Movies Anywhere from a Google account […] - [Kara Swisher Would Rather Work for Sam Altman Than Mark Zuckerberg](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kara-swisher-would-rather-work-for-sam-altman-than-mark-zuckerberg/): But ideally, the journalist and podcast host would rather not work for tech CEOs at all. - [OpenAI Signs $38 Billion Deal With Amazon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-signs-38-billion-deal-with-amazon/): OpenAI has committed to buying billions of dollars worth of compute from AWS—the latest in a string of major deals brokered by the AI startup. - [WIRED Roundup: Alpha School, Grokipedia, and Real Estate AI Videos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-alpha-school-grokipedia-and-real-estate-ai-videos/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and dive into why the promise of a tech-forward school in Texas with software instead of teachers fell apart. - [Your Friend Asked You a Question. Don't Copy and Paste an Answer From a Chatbot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/your-friend-asked-you-a-question-dont-copy-and-paste-an-answer-from-a-chatbot/): Your friend came to you because they respect your knowledge and opinion, and outsourcing the answer to a machine is lazy and rude. Just answer them yourself. - [I tested 30 smart locks, and these are the best](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tested-30-smart-locks-and-these-are-the-best/): A smart lock is an easy solution to some common problems. Locked yourself out? Need to let a friend in to water the plants? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Hands are full, and it’s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more. One of the best smart home upgrades you can make, a smart lock gives you remote control access to your house from anywhere, plus easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your door. Smart locks also remember everything that happened, so they can tell you when your door was unlocked, and […] - [No, ChatGPT hasn’t added a ban on giving legal and health advice](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/no-chatgpt-hasnt-added-a-ban-on-giving-legal-and-health-advice/): OpenAI says ChatGPT’s behavior “remains unchanged” after reports across social media falsely claimed that new s updates to its usage policy prevent the chatbot from offering legal and medical advice. Karan Singhal, OpenAI’s head of health AI, writes on X that the claims are “not true.”  “ChatGPT has never been a substitute for professional advice, but it will continue to be a great resource to help people understand legal and health information,” Singhal says, replying to a now-deleted post from the betting platform Kalshi that had claimed “JUST IN: ChatGPT will no longer provide health or legal advice.” According to […] - [iOS 26.1 lets you tweak Liquid Glass, and it’s out now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ios-26-1-lets-you-tweak-liquid-glass-and-its-out-now/): Apple has just released iOS 26.1, which includes a new transparency toggle for Liquid Glass. The toggle helps address some of the legibility issues introduced in iOS 26 by allowing iPhone users to tone down the glassy design for buttons, tabs, and other navigational elements. As teased during the iOS 26.1 beta, with the toggle, users can switch between two Liquid Glass options. One is the current translucent design, while the other option provides a more frosted look that increases opacity and contrast. The Liquid Glass menu in settings. Here are Apple’s full patch notes for the iOS 26.1 update: […] - [The best new movies to stream this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-new-movies-to-stream-this-week/): Spooky season is over, which means it’s officially Mariah Carey season. It also means streaming services are already loading up on Christmas movies. On pure principle, they’ll be omitted here – Santa doesn’t need a full two months of our attention. Also, while not a movie, worth noting that season two of The Vince Staples Show premieres on November 6th. The first season is funny, surreal, and just an absolute blast. I’ve got high hopes for season two. Here’s the best movies coming to streaming this week. HBO Max Eddington – Ari Aster’s latest just further proves that he is […] - [You need to watch the found footage classic, Lake Mungo](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-watch-the-found-footage-classic-lake-mungo/): Lake Mungo is haunting and heartbreaking. Found footage movies are tough to pull off. For every classic like The Blair Witch Project or Rec, there are 100 movies like Slender and Megan Is Missing that are, at best, forgettable, and at worst, an affront to the very concept of cinema. My personal favorite, though, is Lake Mungo, a slow burn mockumentary with found footage elements that manages to be both creepy and emotionally wrenching. Oh, and it’s gloriously concise at under an hour and a half. Lake Mungo is, first and foremost, one of the most convincingly realized mockumentary ever […] - [Why the Zune never killed the iPod](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-the-zune-never-killed-the-ipod/): The Microsoft Zune is mostly just a footnote in tech history. Microsoft spent years – and vast sums of money – trying to create a true competitor to Apple’s iPod, without ever coming close to actually pulling it off. The Zune was simply too little, too late. You know what’s surprising about the Zune, though? Microsoft made a lot of the right bets with the Zune. The company saw – well ahead of most of the rest of the tech industry – that adding social features could make its product stickier. It understood that these pocketable devices might eventually be […] - [Google’s Pixel Watch 3 and Anker’s two-headed USB-C cable are our favorite deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-pixel-watch-3-and-ankers-two-headed-usb-c-cable-are-our-favorite-deals-this-week/): Google’s last-gen Pixel Watch 3 is on sale for $199.99 ($100 off) for a limited time. There are plenty of good smartwatches out there, and Google’s last-gen Pixel Watch 3 is one of them. Right now, the 45mm / Wi-Fi model is available at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for $199.99 ($100 off), which is a new low price and $150 less than the Pixel Watch 4. In her review, our own Victoria Song noted how impressed she was by the larger size’s lengthy battery life, as well as how versatile a companion it was to Android phones, particularly Pixel devices. […] - [Ayaneo Phone confirmed in a teaser featuring retro Remake branding](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ayaneo-phone-confirmed-in-a-teaser-featuring-retro-remake-branding/): Ayaneo is best known for its retro gaming handhelds, but the company has now confirmed its first phone will be coming soon. Ayaneo briefly teased that it was working on a phone back in August during the event where it unveiled the dual-screen Pocket DS. Of course, many of the company’s gaming handhelds run a custom take on Android, so putting a cellular modem in one isn’t much of a stretch. We don’t know much about the handheld. The video offers a quick glimpse at a pretty standard-looking rectangle. There are dual cameras in the top-left corner, and you can […] - [LG’s brilliant B5 OLED TV is already down to just $530 for Black Friday](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lgs-brilliant-b5-oled-tv-is-already-down-to-just-530-for-black-friday/): Best Buy’s latest doorbuster deal nets you a cool $770 off the regular price. | Image: The Verge Best Buy’s early Black Friday deals are already live, with discounts to be had on everything from smartphones and gaming PCs to wireless headphones. If you’re in the market for a new 4K TV, Best Buy is also offering an exclusive doorbuster deal on LG’s 48-inch B5 OLED, bringing the price of the 4K TV down to just $529.99 ($770 off) for a limited time. You can also grab the 55-inch model from Amazon, Best Buy, and LG for around $896 ($604 […] - [Meta Claims Downloaded Porn at Center of AI Lawsuit Was for ‘Personal Use’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-claims-downloaded-porn-at-center-of-ai-lawsuit-was-for-personal-use/): In a motion to dismiss filed earlier this week, Meta denied claims that employees had downloaded pornography from Strike 3 Holdings to train its artificial intelligence models. - [The Man Who Invented AGI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-man-who-invented-agi/): Everyone is obsessed with artificial general intelligence—the stage when AI can match all feats of human cognition. The guy who named it saw it as a threat. - [Guillermo del Toro Hopes He’s Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/guillermo-del-toro-hopes-hes-dead-before-ai-art-goes-mainstream/): The Frankenstein director tells WIRED the real Victor Frankensteins are tyrannical politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros. - [GTA VI developer accused of union busting in mass firings](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gta-vi-developer-accused-of-union-busting-in-mass-firings/): Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, fired between 30 to 40 employees on Thursday, as previously reported by Bloomberg. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), all of the employees fired were part of a private trade union Discord chat and were either already union members or attempting to organize a union at Rockstar.  “Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry,” IWGB president Alex Marshall said in a statement provided to The Verge.  Alan Lewis, head of global corporate communications at Rockstar […] - [Here are the shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-shipping-and-return-policies-for-all-the-big-name-retailers/): With the holidays quickly approaching, everyone will soon be on the hunt for gifts and the fastest way to get them. Thankfully, many retailers offer generous shipping policies for their products, with some even providing free two-day shipping or even same-day delivery if you’re willing to pay a little extra. And just in case the gift you choose isn’t quite right, many retailers offer extended return policies so your giftee can get something more to their liking. For your convenience, we’ve compiled the current shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers, from Amazon to Walmart. A few of them […] - [Microsoft releases an Xbox Full Screen Experience preview for the MSI Claw](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-releases-an-xbox-full-screen-experience-preview-for-the-msi-claw/): Microsoft’s new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), which adds a console-like navigation experience to Windows PC gaming handhelds, is coming to another family of devices: the MSI Claw. As part of the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, Microsoft is rolling out support for the Xbox FSE in preview to “MSI Claw models” today, the company announced. FSE debuted on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X earlier this month, and my colleague Sean Hollister ran into quite a few issues with it (and the new handhelds). If you’re interested in installing the Xbox FSE on your MSI Claw, you […] - [WIRED Roundup: AI Psychosis, Missing FTC Files, and Google Bedbugs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-ai-psychosis-missing-ftc-files-and-google-bedbugs/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and look closely at people’s complaints to the FTC alleging that ChatGPT led them or loved ones into AI psychosis. - [Microsoft’s agent platform play](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-agent-platform-play/): Jay Parikh in 2018. | Photo: Andrej Sokolow / Getty Images This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. To understand how Microsoft sees its role in the AI race, look at what was announced at the company’s GitHub Universe developer conference on Tuesday in San Francisco. The event marked a turning point for one of Microsoft’s most important but often under-analyzed assets. GitHub, which is used by more than 180 million developers, wants to be the central platform for AI coding […] - [Tim Cook says more AIs are coming to Apple Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-more-ais-are-coming-to-apple-intelligence/): Tim Cook says Apple has plans to embed more third-party AI tools into the company’s operating systems. “Our intention is to integrate with more people over time,” Cook said in an interview with CNBC. Apple has already embedded ChatGPT into Siri, with a Google Gemini integration said to be in the works, along with rumors swirling about a partnership with Anthropic and Perplexity. This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about third-party integrations, as Apple software SVP Craig Federighi said last year that the company “may look forward to doing integrations with different models like Google Gemini in the future.” […] - [Samsung’s AirPods Pro look-alikes have fallen to their best price in months](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-airpods-pro-look-alikes-have-fallen-to-their-best-price-in-months/): Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro received a decent price drop during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale, but if you held off on picking them up, your patience has been rewarded. Right now, the noise-canceling earbuds are available for around $165 ($85 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is the lowest price we’ve seen in months. The discount only applies to the silver color, though, and Amazon shows the deal runs through the end of today, October 30th. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Where to Buy: $249.99 $165 at Amazon $249.99 $189.99 at Samsung $249.99 $165.99 at Best Buy The […] - [Meta, Google, and Microsoft Triple Down on AI Spending](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-google-and-microsoft-triple-down-on-ai-spending/): Three of the biggest US tech companies reported record profits and record infrastructure spending on Wednesday, fueling speculation about a possible AI market bubble. - [AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-agents-are-terrible-freelance-workers/): A new benchmark measures how well AI agents can automate economically valuable chores. Human-level AI is still some ways off. - [Extropic Aims to Disrupt the Data Center Bonanza](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/extropic-aims-to-disrupt-the-data-center-bonanza/): A startup hopes to challenge Nvidia, AMD, and Intel with a chip that wrangles probabilities rather than 1s and 0s. - [Microsoft says it’s recovering after Azure outage took down 365, Xbox, and Starbucks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-says-its-recovering-after-azure-outage-took-down-365-xbox-and-starbucks/): Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing service, has experienced an outage just one week after issues with AWS took out swaths of the internet. The issues impacted Microsoft’s services that run on Azure, including Microsoft 365, Xbox, and even Minecraft. Other companies, like Capital One, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks, also had outages that were linked to the problems with Azure. On Azure’s status page, Microsoft’s messages have linked the outage to an “inadvertent configuration change” and DNS problem. As Microsoft reported its earnings on Wednesday afternoon, its main website continued to load slowly as the outage dragged on. An update […] - [Rode has a better way to connect your tiny wireless mics to your digital camera](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rode-has-a-better-way-to-connect-your-tiny-wireless-mics-to-your-digital-camera/): Rode’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit includes a charging case to extend the battery life of its receivers and mics. | Image: Rode Last November, Rode launched its Wireless Micro microphone system that paired two tiny lavalier mics with a small receiver that connected to your phone’s charging port. Rode later gave that product a free upgrade, sending out another receiver that let the mics connect to digital cameras, too. Now, the company is launching an updated version of that receiver with an OLED screen — but this time, it’s charging for it. The new version of Rode’s wireless camera receiver is […] - [Meta repents again to Republicans in hearing over moderation, while Google stands its ground](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-repents-again-to-republicans-in-hearing-over-moderation-while-google-stands-its-ground/): At a Senate hearing Wednesday on government censorship of tech platforms, a Meta executive expressed regret to Republican lawmakers for failing to speak out more against the Biden administration’s requests that it remove health and election misinformation, including satire. Google, meanwhile, held firm in its stance, saying that evaluating – and often rejecting – government content requests is business as usual. Democrats questioned why Congress was relitigating years-old moderation decisions instead of the Trump administration’s recent speech crackdown – even as Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) hopes to recruit them for a new anti-jawboning bill. An … Read the full story […] - [Adobe MAX 2025: All the Top Announcements for Adobe’s Creative Suite](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-max-2025-all-the-top-announcements-for-adobes-creative-suite/): At Adobe’s annual MAX conference, the company also teased a ChatGPT integration and a new AI assistant in Photoshop. - [The best foldable phone you can buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-foldable-phone-you-can-buy/): A foldable phone isn’t for the faint of heart. They’re generally heavier, pricier, and have less capable cameras than a standard slab-style phone. They’re also still not as durable as regular smartphones, though they’re not nearly as fragile as they once were. In fact, thanks to Google, we finally have a foldable phone we can take with us to the beach. There are basically two kinds of foldables at the moment — the kind that fold like books and the ones that fold clamshell style, like your old flip phone. Here’s how I think of it: a book-style foldable is […] - [Senators propose banning teens from using AI chatbots](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/senators-propose-banning-teens-from-using-ai-chatbots/): A new piece of legislation could require AI companies to verify the ages of everyone who uses their chatbots. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the GUARD Act on Tuesday, which would also ban everyone under 18 from accessing AI chatbots, as reported earlier by NBC News.  The bill comes just weeks after safety advocates and parents attended a Senate hearing to call attention to the impact of AI chatbots on kids. Under the legislation, AI companies would have to verify ages by requiring users to upload their government ID or provide validation through another “reasonable” method, […] - [YouTube will age-restrict more content showing ‘graphic violence’ in video games](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-will-age-restrict-more-content-showing-graphic-violence-in-video-games/): YouTube is updating its policy to age-restrict more content containing video game scenes with “graphic violence,” the company announced on Tuesday. The update will go into effect on November 17th and will prevent accounts under 18 and signed-out users from watching videos with games focused on showing “realistic human characters” involved in scenes of “mass violence against non-combatants” or torture. When choosing whether to restrict a video, YouTube says it will take the length of the graphic scene into account, as well as whether it’s zoomed in or the main focus of a scene. It will also evaluate whether the […] - [Elon Musk's Grokipedia Pushes Far-Right Talking Points](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-grokipedia-pushes-far-right-talking-points/): The new AI-powered Wikipedia competitor falsely claims that pornography worsened the AIDS epidemic and that social media may be fueling a rise in transgender people. - [OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-says-hundreds-of-thousands-of-chatgpt-users-may-show-signs-of-manic-or-psychotic-crisis-every-week/): OpenAI released initial estimates about the share of users who may be experiencing symptoms like delusional thinking, mania, or suicidal ideation, and says it has tweaked GPT-5 to respond more effectively. - [Are Kids Still Looking for Careers in Tech?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/are-kids-still-looking-for-careers-in-tech/): AI is changing what careers are possible for students interested in STEM subjects. WIRED spoke with five aspiring scientists to find out how they’re preparing for the future. - [Elon Musk’s Grokipedia contains copied Wikipedia pages](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-grokipedia-contains-copied-wikipedia-pages/): xAI’s Grokipedia, its Wikipedia-like online encyclopedia, is now live. The similarities go deeper than expected. Grokipedia’s design is pretty basic right now; like Wikipedia, the homepage is mostly just a big search bar, and entries resemble very basic Wikipedia entries, with headings, subheadings, and citations. I haven’t seen any photos on the site yet. Wikipedia lets users edit pages, but it doesn’t appear that users can currently do that on Grokipedia; a big edit button at the top only appeared on a few pages for me, and when I clicked the button, it only showed edits that had already been […] - [How to sign up for Amazon Prime](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-sign-up-for-amazon-prime/): Can you believe that the holiday season is already creeping up on us? I can’t. But at least that means we can begin looking forward to all the deals we’re likely to see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the bulk of which will drop on November 28th. Everything from gaming gear and headphones to the latest smart home tech — well, almost everything — will be on sale, including plenty of Verge favorites. But be aware: some of the best deals will only be available for Amazon Prime subscribers. Fortunately, if you’re interested in all of Amazon’s discounted goodies […] - [ExxonMobil accuses California of violating its free speech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/exxonmobil-accuses-california-of-violating-its-free-speech/): Darren Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corp, during the Summit on Methane and Other Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases on day three of the COP28 climate conference at Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. | Photo: Getty Images ExxonMobil is suing California over state laws that compel large companies to share a more comprehensive picture of their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as disclose financial risks that climate change might pose to their investors. The oil and gas company claims that the two laws in question aim to “embarrass” large corporations the […] - [Real Estate Is Entering Its AI Slop Era](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/real-estate-is-entering-its-ai-slop-era/): Fake video walk-throughs, a magically expanding loft, and stair hallucinations are just some of the new AI-generated features house hunters are coming across. - [Casio’s Fluffy AI Robot Squeaked Its Way Into My Heart](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/casios-fluffy-ai-robot-squeaked-its-way-into-my-heart/): The $430 Casio Moflin is a pointless but adorable robot you can’t help but love. Unless you’re a dog. - [You need to listen to the brutally oppressive I’ve Seen All I Need to See](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-listen-to-the-brutally-oppressive-ive-seen-all-i-need-to-see/): There are only a handful of albums that I think qualify as genuinely scary. You Won’t Get What You Want by Daughters, and Swans To Be Kind both immediately come to mind. But those records come with… let’s say, baggage. I’ve Seen All I Need to See lacks some of the atmospheric spookiness of To Be Kind and the flashes of pop-tinged menace of You Won’t Get What You Want, but it makes up for that with unrelenting brutality. It’s not the soundtrack to a slasher film, it’s the most violent scene in the bleakest horror film, rendered as blown-out […] - [Adobe’s Project Indigo camera finally adds iPhone 17 support](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobes-project-indigo-camera-finally-adds-iphone-17-support/): Adobe’s computational photography app, Project Indigo, had a bit of trouble adapting to the new square-format selfie sensor in the iPhone 17 series. For the last month or so, the app simply didn’t support Apple’s latest phones at all. Adobe was working behind the scenes to get things up and running, and posting occasional updates to the Adobe Community forums. But the company has decided to simply turn off access to the front-facing camera entirely, in order to get some version of Project Indigo out the door with iPhone 17 support. The app debuted back in June and immediately started […] - [How Guitar Hero made everybody a rock star](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-guitar-hero-made-everybody-a-rock-star/): “Sharp Dressed Man,” by ZZ Top. Hard on a good day, Medium when my friends were over, Expert once and then never ever again. That was my Guitar Hero sweet spot. And for years, it seemed like everybody had one. The plastic guitar controllers became a staple of living rooms everywhere, and the songs – from big bands, small bands, and bands that didn’t even actually exist – became huge hits. Long before TikTok was the most important thing in music, getting your track on a Guitar Hero setlist could change your life forever. For this episode of Version History, […] - [Gear News of the Week: There’s Yet Another New AI Browser, and Fujifilm Debuts the X-T30 III](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gear-news-of-the-week-theres-yet-another-new-ai-browser-and-fujifilm-debuts-the-x-t30-iii/): Plus: Aura’s new digital photo frame goes wireless, a mood-morphing watch, Wyze and TP-Link unveil solar-powered outdoor security cameras, and Intel will open “AI Experience Stores” in five cities. - [Election night at Kalshi HQ](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/election-night-at-kalshi-hq/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. At 8PM on election night in New York City, I arrived at an unmarked office building in the Meatpacking District. Inside, a few dozen young Kalshi employees moved between clusters of desks, pizza boxes, and a large projector displaying live markets for the day’s key races. The vibe was quiet but focused. On the screen, numbers flickered as bets adjusted in real time. Near the projector, co-founders Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara chatted […] - [Rode’s all-in-one video production console is now smaller and cheaper](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rodes-all-in-one-video-production-console-is-now-smaller-and-cheaper/): Rode’s new console is slightly smaller and more than half the price of last year’s version. | Image: Rode Rode has announced a new version of the Rodecaster Video portable production console it launched just over a year ago, but the Rodecaster Video S isn’t a replacement. The Rodecaster Video S offers similar functionality to the original, including switching and mixing multiple video and audio sources and replacing blue or green screens, but with an even smaller footprint and price.  The Rodecaster Video launched at $1,199 in late September 2024, while the new S version is available for preorder now […] - [Kara Swisher Would Rather Work for Sam Altman Than Mark Zuckerberg](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/kara-swisher-would-rather-work-for-sam-altman-than-mark-zuckerberg/): But ideally, the journalist and podcast host would rather not work for tech CEOs at all. - [OpenAI Signs $38 Billion Deal With Amazon](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-signs-38-billion-deal-with-amazon/): OpenAI has committed to buying billions of dollars worth of compute from AWS—the latest in a string of major deals brokered by the AI startup. - [WIRED Roundup: Alpha School, Grokipedia, and Real Estate AI Videos](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-alpha-school-grokipedia-and-real-estate-ai-videos/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and dive into why the promise of a tech-forward school in Texas with software instead of teachers fell apart. - [Your Friend Asked You a Question. Don't Copy and Paste an Answer From a Chatbot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/your-friend-asked-you-a-question-dont-copy-and-paste-an-answer-from-a-chatbot/): Your friend came to you because they respect your knowledge and opinion, and outsourcing the answer to a machine is lazy and rude. Just answer them yourself. - [I tested 30 smart locks, and these are the best](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/i-tested-30-smart-locks-and-these-are-the-best/): A smart lock is an easy solution to some common problems. Locked yourself out? Need to let a friend in to water the plants? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Hands are full, and it’s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more. One of the best smart home upgrades you can make, a smart lock gives you remote control access to your house from anywhere, plus easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your door. Smart locks also remember everything that happened, so they can tell you when your door was unlocked, and […] - [No, ChatGPT hasn’t added a ban on giving legal and health advice](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/no-chatgpt-hasnt-added-a-ban-on-giving-legal-and-health-advice/): OpenAI says ChatGPT’s behavior “remains unchanged” after reports across social media falsely claimed that new s updates to its usage policy prevent the chatbot from offering legal and medical advice. Karan Singhal, OpenAI’s head of health AI, writes on X that the claims are “not true.”  “ChatGPT has never been a substitute for professional advice, but it will continue to be a great resource to help people understand legal and health information,” Singhal says, replying to a now-deleted post from the betting platform Kalshi that had claimed “JUST IN: ChatGPT will no longer provide health or legal advice.” According to […] - [iOS 26.1 lets you tweak Liquid Glass, and it’s out now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ios-26-1-lets-you-tweak-liquid-glass-and-its-out-now/): Apple has just released iOS 26.1, which includes a new transparency toggle for Liquid Glass. The toggle helps address some of the legibility issues introduced in iOS 26 by allowing iPhone users to tone down the glassy design for buttons, tabs, and other navigational elements. As teased during the iOS 26.1 beta, with the toggle, users can switch between two Liquid Glass options. One is the current translucent design, while the other option provides a more frosted look that increases opacity and contrast. The Liquid Glass menu in settings. Here are Apple’s full patch notes for the iOS 26.1 update: […] - [The best new movies to stream this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-new-movies-to-stream-this-week/): Spooky season is over, which means it’s officially Mariah Carey season. It also means streaming services are already loading up on Christmas movies. On pure principle, they’ll be omitted here – Santa doesn’t need a full two months of our attention. Also, while not a movie, worth noting that season two of The Vince Staples Show premieres on November 6th. The first season is funny, surreal, and just an absolute blast. I’ve got high hopes for season two. Here’s the best movies coming to streaming this week. HBO Max Eddington – Ari Aster’s latest just further proves that he is […] - [You need to watch the found footage classic, Lake Mungo](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-watch-the-found-footage-classic-lake-mungo/): Lake Mungo is haunting and heartbreaking. Found footage movies are tough to pull off. For every classic like The Blair Witch Project or Rec, there are 100 movies like Slender and Megan Is Missing that are, at best, forgettable, and at worst, an affront to the very concept of cinema. My personal favorite, though, is Lake Mungo, a slow burn mockumentary with found footage elements that manages to be both creepy and emotionally wrenching. Oh, and it’s gloriously concise at under an hour and a half. Lake Mungo is, first and foremost, one of the most convincingly realized mockumentary ever […] - [Why the Zune never killed the iPod](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-the-zune-never-killed-the-ipod/): The Microsoft Zune is mostly just a footnote in tech history. Microsoft spent years – and vast sums of money – trying to create a true competitor to Apple’s iPod, without ever coming close to actually pulling it off. The Zune was simply too little, too late. You know what’s surprising about the Zune, though? Microsoft made a lot of the right bets with the Zune. The company saw – well ahead of most of the rest of the tech industry – that adding social features could make its product stickier. It understood that these pocketable devices might eventually be […] - [Google’s Pixel Watch 3 and Anker’s two-headed USB-C cable are our favorite deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-pixel-watch-3-and-ankers-two-headed-usb-c-cable-are-our-favorite-deals-this-week/): Google’s last-gen Pixel Watch 3 is on sale for $199.99 ($100 off) for a limited time. There are plenty of good smartwatches out there, and Google’s last-gen Pixel Watch 3 is one of them. Right now, the 45mm / Wi-Fi model is available at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for $199.99 ($100 off), which is a new low price and $150 less than the Pixel Watch 4. In her review, our own Victoria Song noted how impressed she was by the larger size’s lengthy battery life, as well as how versatile a companion it was to Android phones, particularly Pixel devices. […] - [Ayaneo Phone confirmed in a teaser featuring retro Remake branding](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ayaneo-phone-confirmed-in-a-teaser-featuring-retro-remake-branding/): Ayaneo is best known for its retro gaming handhelds, but the company has now confirmed its first phone will be coming soon. Ayaneo briefly teased that it was working on a phone back in August during the event where it unveiled the dual-screen Pocket DS. Of course, many of the company’s gaming handhelds run a custom take on Android, so putting a cellular modem in one isn’t much of a stretch. We don’t know much about the handheld. The video offers a quick glimpse at a pretty standard-looking rectangle. There are dual cameras in the top-left corner, and you can […] - [LG’s brilliant B5 OLED TV is already down to just $530 for Black Friday](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/lgs-brilliant-b5-oled-tv-is-already-down-to-just-530-for-black-friday/): Best Buy’s latest doorbuster deal nets you a cool $770 off the regular price. | Image: The Verge Best Buy’s early Black Friday deals are already live, with discounts to be had on everything from smartphones and gaming PCs to wireless headphones. If you’re in the market for a new 4K TV, Best Buy is also offering an exclusive doorbuster deal on LG’s 48-inch B5 OLED, bringing the price of the 4K TV down to just $529.99 ($770 off) for a limited time. You can also grab the 55-inch model from Amazon, Best Buy, and LG for around $896 ($604 […] - [Meta Claims Downloaded Porn at Center of AI Lawsuit Was for ‘Personal Use’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-claims-downloaded-porn-at-center-of-ai-lawsuit-was-for-personal-use/): In a motion to dismiss filed earlier this week, Meta denied claims that employees had downloaded pornography from Strike 3 Holdings to train its artificial intelligence models. - [The Man Who Invented AGI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-man-who-invented-agi/): Everyone is obsessed with artificial general intelligence—the stage when AI can match all feats of human cognition. The guy who named it saw it as a threat. - [Guillermo del Toro Hopes He’s Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/guillermo-del-toro-hopes-hes-dead-before-ai-art-goes-mainstream/): The Frankenstein director tells WIRED the real Victor Frankensteins are tyrannical politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros. - [GTA VI developer accused of union busting in mass firings](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gta-vi-developer-accused-of-union-busting-in-mass-firings/): Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, fired between 30 to 40 employees on Thursday, as previously reported by Bloomberg. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), all of the employees fired were part of a private trade union Discord chat and were either already union members or attempting to organize a union at Rockstar.  “Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry,” IWGB president Alex Marshall said in a statement provided to The Verge.  Alan Lewis, head of global corporate communications at Rockstar […] - [Here are the shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-shipping-and-return-policies-for-all-the-big-name-retailers/): With the holidays quickly approaching, everyone will soon be on the hunt for gifts and the fastest way to get them. Thankfully, many retailers offer generous shipping policies for their products, with some even providing free two-day shipping or even same-day delivery if you’re willing to pay a little extra. And just in case the gift you choose isn’t quite right, many retailers offer extended return policies so your giftee can get something more to their liking. For your convenience, we’ve compiled the current shipping and return policies for all the big-name retailers, from Amazon to Walmart. A few of them […] - [Microsoft releases an Xbox Full Screen Experience preview for the MSI Claw](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-releases-an-xbox-full-screen-experience-preview-for-the-msi-claw/): Microsoft’s new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE), which adds a console-like navigation experience to Windows PC gaming handhelds, is coming to another family of devices: the MSI Claw. As part of the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, Microsoft is rolling out support for the Xbox FSE in preview to “MSI Claw models” today, the company announced. FSE debuted on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X earlier this month, and my colleague Sean Hollister ran into quite a few issues with it (and the new handhelds). If you’re interested in installing the Xbox FSE on your MSI Claw, you […] - [WIRED Roundup: AI Psychosis, Missing FTC Files, and Google Bedbugs](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wired-roundup-ai-psychosis-missing-ftc-files-and-google-bedbugs/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and look closely at people’s complaints to the FTC alleging that ChatGPT led them or loved ones into AI psychosis. - [Microsoft’s agent platform play](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsofts-agent-platform-play/): Jay Parikh in 2018. | Photo: Andrej Sokolow / Getty Images This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. To understand how Microsoft sees its role in the AI race, look at what was announced at the company’s GitHub Universe developer conference on Tuesday in San Francisco. The event marked a turning point for one of Microsoft’s most important but often under-analyzed assets. GitHub, which is used by more than 180 million developers, wants to be the central platform for AI coding […] - [Tim Cook says more AIs are coming to Apple Intelligence](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tim-cook-says-more-ais-are-coming-to-apple-intelligence/): Tim Cook says Apple has plans to embed more third-party AI tools into the company’s operating systems. “Our intention is to integrate with more people over time,” Cook said in an interview with CNBC. Apple has already embedded ChatGPT into Siri, with a Google Gemini integration said to be in the works, along with rumors swirling about a partnership with Anthropic and Perplexity. This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about third-party integrations, as Apple software SVP Craig Federighi said last year that the company “may look forward to doing integrations with different models like Google Gemini in the future.” […] - [Samsung’s AirPods Pro look-alikes have fallen to their best price in months](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsungs-airpods-pro-look-alikes-have-fallen-to-their-best-price-in-months/): Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro received a decent price drop during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale, but if you held off on picking them up, your patience has been rewarded. Right now, the noise-canceling earbuds are available for around $165 ($85 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is the lowest price we’ve seen in months. The discount only applies to the silver color, though, and Amazon shows the deal runs through the end of today, October 30th. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Where to Buy: $249.99 $165 at Amazon $249.99 $189.99 at Samsung $249.99 $165.99 at Best Buy The […] - [Meta, Google, and Microsoft Triple Down on AI Spending](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-google-and-microsoft-triple-down-on-ai-spending/): Three of the biggest US tech companies reported record profits and record infrastructure spending on Wednesday, fueling speculation about a possible AI market bubble. - [AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-agents-are-terrible-freelance-workers/): A new benchmark measures how well AI agents can automate economically valuable chores. Human-level AI is still some ways off. - [Extropic Aims to Disrupt the Data Center Bonanza](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/extropic-aims-to-disrupt-the-data-center-bonanza/): A startup hopes to challenge Nvidia, AMD, and Intel with a chip that wrangles probabilities rather than 1s and 0s. - [Microsoft says it’s recovering after Azure outage took down 365, Xbox, and Starbucks](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/microsoft-says-its-recovering-after-azure-outage-took-down-365-xbox-and-starbucks/): Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud computing service, has experienced an outage just one week after issues with AWS took out swaths of the internet. The issues impacted Microsoft’s services that run on Azure, including Microsoft 365, Xbox, and even Minecraft. Other companies, like Capital One, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks, also had outages that were linked to the problems with Azure. On Azure’s status page, Microsoft’s messages have linked the outage to an “inadvertent configuration change” and DNS problem. As Microsoft reported its earnings on Wednesday afternoon, its main website continued to load slowly as the outage dragged on. An update […] - [Rode has a better way to connect your tiny wireless mics to your digital camera](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/rode-has-a-better-way-to-connect-your-tiny-wireless-mics-to-your-digital-camera/): Rode’s Wireless Micro Camera Kit includes a charging case to extend the battery life of its receivers and mics. | Image: Rode Last November, Rode launched its Wireless Micro microphone system that paired two tiny lavalier mics with a small receiver that connected to your phone’s charging port. Rode later gave that product a free upgrade, sending out another receiver that let the mics connect to digital cameras, too. Now, the company is launching an updated version of that receiver with an OLED screen — but this time, it’s charging for it. The new version of Rode’s wireless camera receiver is […] - [Meta repents again to Republicans in hearing over moderation, while Google stands its ground](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/meta-repents-again-to-republicans-in-hearing-over-moderation-while-google-stands-its-ground/): At a Senate hearing Wednesday on government censorship of tech platforms, a Meta executive expressed regret to Republican lawmakers for failing to speak out more against the Biden administration’s requests that it remove health and election misinformation, including satire. Google, meanwhile, held firm in its stance, saying that evaluating – and often rejecting – government content requests is business as usual. Democrats questioned why Congress was relitigating years-old moderation decisions instead of the Trump administration’s recent speech crackdown – even as Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) hopes to recruit them for a new anti-jawboning bill. An … Read the full story […] - [Adobe MAX 2025: All the Top Announcements for Adobe’s Creative Suite](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobe-max-2025-all-the-top-announcements-for-adobes-creative-suite/): At Adobe’s annual MAX conference, the company also teased a ChatGPT integration and a new AI assistant in Photoshop. - [The best foldable phone you can buy](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-best-foldable-phone-you-can-buy/): A foldable phone isn’t for the faint of heart. They’re generally heavier, pricier, and have less capable cameras than a standard slab-style phone. They’re also still not as durable as regular smartphones, though they’re not nearly as fragile as they once were. In fact, thanks to Google, we finally have a foldable phone we can take with us to the beach. There are basically two kinds of foldables at the moment — the kind that fold like books and the ones that fold clamshell style, like your old flip phone. Here’s how I think of it: a book-style foldable is […] - [Senators propose banning teens from using AI chatbots](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/senators-propose-banning-teens-from-using-ai-chatbots/): A new piece of legislation could require AI companies to verify the ages of everyone who uses their chatbots. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the GUARD Act on Tuesday, which would also ban everyone under 18 from accessing AI chatbots, as reported earlier by NBC News.  The bill comes just weeks after safety advocates and parents attended a Senate hearing to call attention to the impact of AI chatbots on kids. Under the legislation, AI companies would have to verify ages by requiring users to upload their government ID or provide validation through another “reasonable” method, […] - [YouTube will age-restrict more content showing ‘graphic violence’ in video games](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/youtube-will-age-restrict-more-content-showing-graphic-violence-in-video-games/): YouTube is updating its policy to age-restrict more content containing video game scenes with “graphic violence,” the company announced on Tuesday. The update will go into effect on November 17th and will prevent accounts under 18 and signed-out users from watching videos with games focused on showing “realistic human characters” involved in scenes of “mass violence against non-combatants” or torture. When choosing whether to restrict a video, YouTube says it will take the length of the graphic scene into account, as well as whether it’s zoomed in or the main focus of a scene. It will also evaluate whether the […] - [Elon Musk's Grokipedia Pushes Far-Right Talking Points](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-grokipedia-pushes-far-right-talking-points/): The new AI-powered Wikipedia competitor falsely claims that pornography worsened the AIDS epidemic and that social media may be fueling a rise in transgender people. - [OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openai-says-hundreds-of-thousands-of-chatgpt-users-may-show-signs-of-manic-or-psychotic-crisis-every-week/): OpenAI released initial estimates about the share of users who may be experiencing symptoms like delusional thinking, mania, or suicidal ideation, and says it has tweaked GPT-5 to respond more effectively. - [Are Kids Still Looking for Careers in Tech?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/are-kids-still-looking-for-careers-in-tech/): AI is changing what careers are possible for students interested in STEM subjects. WIRED spoke with five aspiring scientists to find out how they’re preparing for the future. - [Elon Musk’s Grokipedia contains copied Wikipedia pages](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/elon-musks-grokipedia-contains-copied-wikipedia-pages/): xAI’s Grokipedia, its Wikipedia-like online encyclopedia, is now live. The similarities go deeper than expected. Grokipedia’s design is pretty basic right now; like Wikipedia, the homepage is mostly just a big search bar, and entries resemble very basic Wikipedia entries, with headings, subheadings, and citations. I haven’t seen any photos on the site yet. Wikipedia lets users edit pages, but it doesn’t appear that users can currently do that on Grokipedia; a big edit button at the top only appeared on a few pages for me, and when I clicked the button, it only showed edits that had already been […] - [How to sign up for Amazon Prime](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-to-sign-up-for-amazon-prime/): Can you believe that the holiday season is already creeping up on us? I can’t. But at least that means we can begin looking forward to all the deals we’re likely to see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the bulk of which will drop on November 28th. Everything from gaming gear and headphones to the latest smart home tech — well, almost everything — will be on sale, including plenty of Verge favorites. But be aware: some of the best deals will only be available for Amazon Prime subscribers. Fortunately, if you’re interested in all of Amazon’s discounted goodies […] - [ExxonMobil accuses California of violating its free speech](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/exxonmobil-accuses-california-of-violating-its-free-speech/): Darren Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corp, during the Summit on Methane and Other Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases on day three of the COP28 climate conference at Expo City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. | Photo: Getty Images ExxonMobil is suing California over state laws that compel large companies to share a more comprehensive picture of their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as disclose financial risks that climate change might pose to their investors. The oil and gas company claims that the two laws in question aim to “embarrass” large corporations the […] - [Real Estate Is Entering Its AI Slop Era](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/real-estate-is-entering-its-ai-slop-era/): Fake video walk-throughs, a magically expanding loft, and stair hallucinations are just some of the new AI-generated features house hunters are coming across. - [Casio’s Fluffy AI Robot Squeaked Its Way Into My Heart](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/casios-fluffy-ai-robot-squeaked-its-way-into-my-heart/): The $430 Casio Moflin is a pointless but adorable robot you can’t help but love. Unless you’re a dog. - [You need to listen to the brutally oppressive I’ve Seen All I Need to See](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-listen-to-the-brutally-oppressive-ive-seen-all-i-need-to-see/): There are only a handful of albums that I think qualify as genuinely scary. You Won’t Get What You Want by Daughters, and Swans To Be Kind both immediately come to mind. But those records come with… let’s say, baggage. I’ve Seen All I Need to See lacks some of the atmospheric spookiness of To Be Kind and the flashes of pop-tinged menace of You Won’t Get What You Want, but it makes up for that with unrelenting brutality. It’s not the soundtrack to a slasher film, it’s the most violent scene in the bleakest horror film, rendered as blown-out […] - [Adobe’s Project Indigo camera finally adds iPhone 17 support](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/adobes-project-indigo-camera-finally-adds-iphone-17-support/): Adobe’s computational photography app, Project Indigo, had a bit of trouble adapting to the new square-format selfie sensor in the iPhone 17 series. For the last month or so, the app simply didn’t support Apple’s latest phones at all. Adobe was working behind the scenes to get things up and running, and posting occasional updates to the Adobe Community forums. But the company has decided to simply turn off access to the front-facing camera entirely, in order to get some version of Project Indigo out the door with iPhone 17 support. The app debuted back in June and immediately started […] - [How Guitar Hero made everybody a rock star](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-guitar-hero-made-everybody-a-rock-star/): “Sharp Dressed Man,” by ZZ Top. Hard on a good day, Medium when my friends were over, Expert once and then never ever again. That was my Guitar Hero sweet spot. And for years, it seemed like everybody had one. The plastic guitar controllers became a staple of living rooms everywhere, and the songs – from big bands, small bands, and bands that didn’t even actually exist – became huge hits. Long before TikTok was the most important thing in music, getting your track on a Guitar Hero setlist could change your life forever. For this episode of Version History, […] - [Gear News of the Week: There’s Yet Another New AI Browser, and Fujifilm Debuts the X-T30 III](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gear-news-of-the-week-theres-yet-another-new-ai-browser-and-fujifilm-debuts-the-x-t30-iii/): Plus: Aura’s new digital photo frame goes wireless, a mood-morphing watch, Wyze and TP-Link unveil solar-powered outdoor security cameras, and Intel will open “AI Experience Stores” in five cities. - [Amazon Explains How Its AWS Outage Took Down the Web](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-explains-how-its-aws-outage-took-down-the-web/): Plus: The Jaguar Land Rover hack sets an expensive new record, OpenAI’s new Atlas browser raises security fears, Starlink cuts off scam compounds, and more. - [Tech left teens fighting over scraps, and now it wants those too](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tech-left-teens-fighting-over-scraps-and-now-it-wants-those-too/): Robots will be flipping your burgers soon. Right now, there are robots stocking convenience store shelves in Japan. We haven’t embraced that tech here in America yet, but it’s hard to imagine 7-11 or Walmart won’t at least experiment with it soon. Walmart gave up on its shelf-scanning robots in 2020, but machine vision and AI have improved a lot in the last five years, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s a machine refilling that row of family-sized Fruity Pebbles and not a kid earning some extra cash during senior year of high school. Truth is, there […] - [AirTags and cheap gaming laptops headline our favorite deals this week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/airtags-and-cheap-gaming-laptops-headline-our-favorite-deals-this-week/): You can grab a four-pack of AirTags for just $64.99 right now. Apple’s AirTags have become one of my essentials while traveling, namely because they let me check whether my luggage is in the right place instead of panicking at the baggage claim. And right now, you can get a four-pack of AirTags at Amazon and Walmart for $64.99 ($35 off), which is just a few cents short of the bundle’s all-time low. The sleek Bluetooth trackers let you check their location using Apple’s Find My app. If the item is out of Bluetooth range, you can flag the AirTag […] - [What does nearly $6,000 of gaming laptop get you?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/what-does-nearly-6000-of-gaming-laptop-get-you/): MSI’s flagship is indeed titanic in stature, and certainly price. It’s easy to get into the weeds on a hobby, especially if you’re into PC gaming and dreaming of the highest levels of graphical performance. But how much is too much for hardware? Spending top dollar on graphics power, processing, RAM, storage, etc. – like many things – eventually leads to diminishing returns. When it comes to gaming laptops, MSI’s $5,699.99 Titan 18 is well beyond that inflection point. But it’s also like nothing else. It’s not very logical to spend that much when other excellent gaming laptops are nearly […] - [OpenAI's Sora Loses Its Top App Store Ranking to Dave's Hot Chicken](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-sora-loses-its-top-app-store-ranking-to-daves-hot-chicken/): Dave’s Hot Chicken is the top app in the iOS App Store, ending Sora’s weeks-long reign. - [How Data Centers Actually Work](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-data-centers-actually-work/): In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we discuss the economics and environmental impacts of energy-hungry data centers and whether these facilities are sustainable in the age of AI. - [Sam Altman’s next startup eyes using sound waves to read your brain](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sam-altmans-next-startup-eyes-using-sound-waves-to-read-your-brain/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. Sam Altman has tapped Mikhail Shapiro, an award-winning biomolecular engineer, to join the Merge Labs brain-computer interface startup he’s set to announce soon with co-founder Alex Blania. While Shapiro’s official title is unclear, sources say he will be part of Merge’s founding team and has been positioned as a key leader in talks with investors. Those talks are ongoing, but Merge expects to raise hundreds of millions of dollars from OpenAI and others, as […] - [Apple says Jon Prosser ‘has not indicated’ when he may respond to lawsuit](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/apple-says-jon-prosser-has-not-indicated-when-he-may-respond-to-lawsuit/): Earlier this week, Jon Prosser, who is being sued by Apple for allegedly stealing trade secrets, told The Verge that he has been “in active communications with Apple since the beginning stages of this case.” But Apple, in a new filing on Thursday that was reported on by MacRumors, said that while Prosser has “publicly acknowledged” Apple’s complaint, he “has not indicated whether he will file a response to it or, if so, by when.” Prosser didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment from The Verge. Apple sued Prosser, who posted videos earlier this year showing off features that […] - [Wordle has achievements now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/wordle-has-achievements-now/): Want to flex your Wordle habit beyond just keeping your streak? The New York Times has added badges to recognize certain achievements in Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Connections. “Have you achieved the infamous Wordle in 1? What about the Perfect Connections Puzzle? How many Pangrams are under your Spelling Bee belt? Badges are rewards you can earn through gameplay that let you look back on the moments that made your NYT Games journey special,” according to the NYT. In the app, you can even see your badges in “your very own trophy case.” The NYT says there will also be […] - [The Man Who Makes AI Slop by Hand](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-man-who-makes-ai-slop-by-hand/): Chinese creator Tianran Mu went viral for mimicking the eerie, unsettling aesthetic of AI videos, but his work is 100 percent human. - [ChatGPT’s Horny Era Could Be Its Stickiest Yet](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/chatgpts-horny-era-could-be-its-stickiest-yet/): OpenAI will soon let adults create erotic content in ChatGPT. Experts say that could lead to “emotional commodification,” or horniness as a revenue stream. - [Intel’s tick-tock isn’t coming back, and everything else I just learned](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/intels-tick-tock-isnt-coming-back-and-everything-else-i-just-learned/): With Windows 10 on its last legs, Intel is looking forward to the PC industry growing more than it has in years – the most since 2021, when the covid-19 pandemic revived the industry by creating a huge surge in demand. But it seems the struggling Intel, which just received lifelines from Nvidia, Softbank, and the US government, isn’t fully ready to take advantage and is prioritizing AI instead. Today on the company’s Q3 2025 earnings call, where Intel saw its first profit in nearly two years due primarily to those lifelines, CEO Lip-Bu Tan and CFO David Zinsner explained […] - [AI Models Get Brain Rot, Too](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-models-get-brain-rot-too/): A new study shows that feeding large language models low-quality, high-engagement content from social media lowers their cognitive abilities. - [This Open Source Robot Brain Thinks in 3D](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/this-open-source-robot-brain-thinks-in-3d/): Open source language models are crucial to AI innovation. Can open robotics models do the same for physical machines? - [People Who Say They’re Experiencing AI Psychosis Beg the FTC for Help](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/people-who-say-theyre-experiencing-ai-psychosis-beg-the-ftc-for-help/): The Federal Trade Commission received 200 complaints mentioning ChatGPT between November 2022 and August 2025. Several attributed delusions, paranoia, and spiritual crises to the chatbot. - [Amazon claims the headline isn’t robots taking jobs as it reveals new cost-cutting robots](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-claims-the-headline-isnt-robots-taking-jobs-as-it-reveals-new-cost-cutting-robots/): A New York Times report on Tuesday cited internal Amazon documents touting how its shift into automation could help it sell more products without hiring more people, but today the company has issued a PR blast about robotics and delivery tech that is much sunnier. Along with a tease of AI-connected augmented reality smart glasses and VR training for its drivers, Amazon showed off 10 robots it’s using or testing right now (it didn’t mention whether any of them had issues during the recent AWS outage). In one post, Amazon highlighted Blue Jay, a robot it calls “an extra set […] - [Musk wants to get rid of Tesla’s robotaxi babysitters ‘by the end of the year’](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/musk-wants-to-get-rid-of-teslas-robotaxi-babysitters-by-the-end-of-the-year/): Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicted the company would be able to remove the safety monitors from its robotaxis “by the end of the year.” He also said Tesla would launch a robotaxi service in 8-10 new markets also before the end of 2025. “We are expecting to have no safety drivers in at least large parts of Austin by the end of this year,” Musk said in an earnings call with investors. “So within a few months, we expect to have no safety drivers at all, at least in parts of Austin. We’re obviously being very cautious about the deployment.” […] - [Here are Amazon’s smart delivery glasses that guide drivers and scan packages](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-amazons-smart-delivery-glasses-that-guide-drivers-and-scan-packages/): Remember when word got out that Amazon was building smart glasses for its delivery drivers before possibly launching a version for consumers as well? Amazon has just revealed those “Amelia” glasses to the world — with a built-in display and an always-on camera to assist drivers as they go. They can help drivers find the right packages inside their delivery vans, give them turn-by-turn directions to the right address, and take a hands-free photo of a successful delivery instead of needing them to whip out a phone. (Ever had an Amazon driver tell you, “Please don’t take your package yet, […] - [OpenAI’s Atlas Browser Takes Direct Aim at Google Chrome](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/openais-atlas-browser-takes-direct-aim-at-google-chrome/): The new ChatGPT-powered web browser is OpenAI’s boldest play yet to reinvent how people use the web. - [Forget SEO. Welcome to the World of Generative Engine Optimization](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/forget-seo-welcome-to-the-world-of-generative-engine-optimization/): This holiday season, more shoppers are expected to use chatbots to figure out what to buy. ‘Tis the season for GEO. - [Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: It’s like a cheaper Apple Vision Pro and launches today](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-galaxy-xr-hands-on-its-like-a-cheaper-apple-vision-pro-and-launches-today/): Watching the first few minutes of KPop Demon Hunters on Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, I think Apple’s Vision Pro might be cooked. It’s not because the Galaxy XR – which Samsung formerly teased as Project Moohan – is that much better than the Vision Pro. It’s that the experience is comparable, but you get so much more bang for your buck. Specifically, Galaxy XR costs $1,799 compared to the Vision Pro’s astronomical $3,499. The headset launches in the US and Korea today, and to lure in more customers, Samsung and Google are offering an “explorer pack” with each headset that […] - [The FTC Is Disappearing Blog Posts About AI Published During Lina Khan’s Tenure](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ftc-is-disappearing-blog-posts-about-ai-published-during-lina-khans-tenure/): The Federal Trade Commission removed several blog posts in recent months about open source and potential risks to consumers from the rapid spread of commercial AI tools. - [AI Is Changing What High School STEM Students Study](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ai-is-changing-what-high-school-stem-students-study/): A degree in computer science used to promise a cozy career in tech. Now, students’ ambitions are shaped by AI, in fields that blend computing with analysis, interpretation, and data. - [Anthropic Has a Plan to Keep Its AI From Building a Nuclear Weapon. Will It Work?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/anthropic-has-a-plan-to-keep-its-ai-from-building-a-nuclear-weapon-will-it-work/): Anthropic partnered with the US government to create a filter meant to block Claude from helping someone build a nuke. Experts are divided on whether its a necessary protection—or a protection at all. - [Google’s new deadline for Epic consequences is October 29th](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-new-deadline-for-epic-consequences-is-october-29th/): Two days from today, October 22nd, was Google’s deadline to begin opening up its app store, stop forcing developers to use Google Play Billing, let them set their own prices, and more, following Epic’s repeated wins in Epic v. Google. But both Epic and Google have just successfully and mysteriously argued for one final week’s delay. US District Court Judge James Donato has just agreed to push back enforcement of his permanent injunction until October 29th instead. Here’s the text of the order. It’s brief! ORDER. At the joint request of the parties, MDL Dkt. No. 1110, the upcoming October […] - [Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA say OpenAI is taking their deepfake concerns seriously](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bryan-cranston-and-sag-aftra-say-openai-is-taking-their-deepfake-concerns-seriously/): Actors, studios, agents, and the actors union SAG-AFTRA have all expressed their concerns about appearing in Sora 2’s AI-generated videos ever since the deepfake machine was released last month. Now a joint statement from actor Bryan Cranston, OpenAI, the union, and others says that after videos of him appeared on Sora — one even showed him taking a selfie with Michael Jackson — the company has “strengthened guardrails” around its opt-in policy for likeness and voice. The joint statement said that OpenAI “expressed regret for these unintentional generations.” It also carried cosigns from talent agencies United Talent Agency, the Association […] - [Ninja Gaiden 4 is the perfect place to jump into the series](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/ninja-gaiden-4-is-the-perfect-place-to-jump-into-the-series/): When the first 3D Ninja Gaiden came out on Xbox in 2004, I really wanted to play it; though the game looks a little antiquated now, at the time, teenage me thought that ninja protagonist Ryu Hayabusa was cool as hell. But alas, I didn’t have an Xbox, and I don’t think I could have convinced my parents to let me get such a (for the time) violent game. Even as an adult that could buy whatever game I wanted, I never got around to playing the franchise. Twenty-one years later, I’ve finally scratched that itch. Ninja Gaiden 4 stars […] - [Gemini in Google Home Keeps Mistaking My Dog for a Cat](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/gemini-in-google-home-keeps-mistaking-my-dog-for-a-cat/): Google’s Gemini AI has offended my dog, but at least it can automatically turn the lights on for me. - [X is changing how it handles links to try and keep you in the app](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/x-is-changing-how-it-handles-links-to-try-and-keep-you-in-the-app/): X is testing a change to the way it handles links on iOS so that the buttons to like, reply, and repost will always be visible. Normally, when you click a link on X the page opens up and completely covers the original post. Apparently, this leads to fewer people clicking like or otherwise engaging with the content.  A good chunk of people probably just don’t return to Twitter at all after following an external link. So the company is collapsing the original post to the bottom, instead of letting the web browser take over the whole screen, and pushing […] - [X is launching a marketplace for inactive handles](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/x-is-launching-a-marketplace-for-inactive-handles/): Premium Plus and Premium Business users will soon be able to browse and request inactive usernames on the X Handle Marketplace. Handles are going to be broken up into two broad categories. Priority handles will be free and “often include full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations.” Rare handles, on the other hand, will be a paid option, and “may be priced anywhere from $2,500 to over seven figures, depending on demand and uniqueness.” X is treating this not as a one-time perk, but as an ongoing service to lure in more paid subscribers. If you secure a new handle, […] - [You need to read the epic Argentinian horror novel Our Share of Night](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/you-need-to-read-the-epic-argentinian-horror-novel-our-share-of-night/): I’ve read a lot of horror books over the last two years. But my absolute favorite is easily Mariana Enriquez’ Our Share of Night. The book was originally published in 2019 in Argentina, but it only got an English translation in 2023. While it doesn’t quite reach Stephen King lengths, at nearly 600 pages, I’d say it still counts as an epic. There are certainly scary and gruesome moments in the story involving ancient gods, a powerful cult, and brutal ritual violence. But as is usually the case with the best horror, the supernatural here is a stand-in for real-world […] - [TiVo won the court battles, but lost the TV war](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/tivo-won-the-court-battles-but-lost-the-tv-war/): TiVo could have been a contender. In the 2000s, TiVo reached heights few companies ever achieve. Like Google and Xerox, its name became a verb. People had to “TiVo” the new episode of Battlestar Galactica or game 4 of the Red Sox vs. Cardinals, not “record” it. While it didn’t invent the DVR, TiVo popularized it and many of the features we would eventually take for granted, like the ability to pause or rewind live TV, and watch one program while recording another. Those features were covered in the now infamous US Patent 6,233,389 – better known as the Time […] - [Motorola’s Razr Ultra and the Marshall Emberton II top this week’s best deals](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/motorolas-razr-ultra-and-the-marshall-emberton-ii-top-this-weeks-best-deals/): The latest Motorola Razr is $300 off in multiple colors. | Image: The Verge If you’ve been thinking about buying a foldable phone that truly stands out, few models can rival the 2025 Motorola Razr Ultra, which is currently on sale at Amazon and Best Buy with 16GB of RAM and 512GB starting at $999.99 ($300 off), its lowest price to date. If you can’t tell from the image below, Razr’s latest handset boasts a unique wood grain back panel, which makes it one of the best-looking phones you can buy. It’s not just about looks, though; the Snapdragon 8 […] - [8BitDo’s new collection celebrates the NES’s 40th anniversary](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/8bitdos-new-collection-celebrates-the-ness-40th-anniversary/): As part of its NES40 collection, 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller is getting its most dramatic makeover yet. | Image: 8BitDo Forty years ago today, the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in North America, and to help celebrate the anniversary, 8BitDo has announced a new NES40 collection. It features updated versions of three of 8BitDo’s existing products, including its Ultimate 2 wireless controller, Retro 87 Keyboard N Edition, and Retro Cube Speaker. The updates made to the N40 version of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller are mostly cosmetic, but it now features a black-and-gray design with bright red buttons and a charging dock […] - [Can AI Avoid the Enshittification Trap?](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/can-ai-avoid-the-enshittification-trap/): Cory Doctorow’s theory of “enshittification” explains how tech platforms rot from within. As AI grows more profitable—and powerful—it risks the same fate. - [The Blurred Truths of Sora](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-blurred-truths-of-sora/): Many will assume that OpenAI’s Sora app represents a new era of social media. But that’s wrong—all it does is reanimate our current one. - [ByteDance’s Other AI Chatbot Is Quietly Gaining Traction Around the World](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/bytedances-other-ai-chatbot-is-quietly-gaining-traction-around-the-world/): ByteDance is paying for ads and partnering with influencers to promote its AI chatbot app Cici in countries like the UK, Mexico, and Indonesia. - [Facebook’s new button lets its AI look at photos you haven’t uploaded yet](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/facebooks-new-button-lets-its-ai-look-at-photos-you-havent-uploaded-yet/): Meta has rolled out an opt-in AI feature to its US and Canadian Facebook users that claims to make their photos and videos more “shareworthy.” The only catch is that the feature is designed for your phone’s camera roll — not the media you’ve already uploaded to Facebook. If you opt in, Meta’s AI will comb through your camera roll, upload your unpublished photos to Meta’s cloud, and surface “hidden gems” that are “lost among screenshots, receipts, and random snaps,” the company says. Users will be able to save or share the suggested edits and collages. If Facebook wanting to […] - [Niantic’s Peridot, the Augmented Reality Alien Dog, Is Now a Talking Tour Guide](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/niantics-peridot-the-augmented-reality-alien-dog-is-now-a-talking-tour-guide/): Niantic is giving its cute AR cartoon companions a voice that will let them guide you around in the real world and point out interesting facts. The feature is being demo’d first in Snap Spectacles. - [How ByteDance Made China’s Most Popular AI Chatbot](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/how-bytedance-made-chinas-most-popular-ai-chatbot/): An AI chatbot developed by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is now more popular than DeepSeek. The feat proves that user-friendly design often matters more than having the most advanced AI model. - [All Windows 11 PCs Will Get These Advanced Copilot AI Features](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/all-windows-11-pcs-will-get-these-advanced-copilot-ai-features/): All Windows 11 users will soon be able to talk to the Copilot AI assistant more easily via voice, and Copilot Vision can understand the context of your screen. - [Why world models are the next big thing in AI](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/why-world-models-are-the-next-big-thing-in-ai/): This is an excerpt of Sources by Alex Heath, a newsletter about AI and the tech industry, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. Around the middle of last year, Pim de Witte started reaching out to a handful of prominent AI labs to see if they’d be interested in using data from Medal, his popular video game clipping platform, to train their agents. Within weeks, it became clear that Medal’s data was more valuable to the labs than he expected. “We received multiple acquisition offers very quickly,” he told me. (He declined to name names, but it […] - [MacBook Pro rumor points to OLED, touchscreen upgrades next year](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/macbook-pro-rumor-points-to-oled-touchscreen-upgrades-next-year/): Apple just announced 14-inch MacBook Pro updates that add a new generation M5 processor, faster storage, and a promise of 24-hour battery life, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman now reports next year’s refresh will be more thorough. For several years, Gurman has said that, according to his sources, the next major MacBook Pro revamp would add touchscreens, OLED displays, and a lighter, thinner frame. He reported last month that nothing has changed about that plan other than pushing it back from a late 2025 launch due to OLED supply issues, and today, he expanded on those rumors with details of codenames […] - [Amazon shares a ‘first look’ at new nuclear facility](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/amazon-shares-a-first-look-at-new-nuclear-facility/): A rendering of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility. | Image: X-energy via Amazon Amazon shared some new details about its plans to help deploy more nuclear energy across Washington State, where the company is headquartered. About a year ago, Amazon announced an agreement with Energy Northwest, a consortium of public utilities in Washington, to support the development of up to 12 advanced reactors by the early 2030s. Once complete, Amazon would have the right to purchase electricity from the first 320-megawatt phase of the project. The additional capacity would be open to Amazon and local utilities to use. What’s different about these reactors […] - [The AI Industry’s Scaling Obsession Is Headed for a Cliff](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/the-ai-industrys-scaling-obsession-is-headed-for-a-cliff/): Huge AI infrastructure deals assume that algorithms will keep improving with scale. They may not. - [What Is Google One? A Breakdown of Plans, Pricing, and Included Services](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/what-is-google-one-a-breakdown-of-plans-pricing-and-included-services/): If you use Google’s apps and AI, it’s worth looking at this all-inclusive service. We break down the plans and how much they cost. - [When Face Recognition Doesn’t Know Your Face Is a Face](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/when-face-recognition-doesnt-know-your-face-is-a-face/): An estimated 100 million people live with facial differences. As face recognition tech becomes widespread, some say they’re getting blocked from accessing essential systems and services. - [Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/here-are-the-best-airpods-deals-you-can-get-right-now/): The AirPods 4 with ANC are down to just $118.99 at Amazon, matching their all-time low. | Photo: Chris Welch / The Verge If you know where to look, you can often score discounts on Apple’s ever-expanding AirPods lineup. Both the newer AirPods Max and AirPods 4 (with and without ANC) now consistently receive discounts, as do the second-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C. Events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday often bring the steepest discounts, though you can still find great deals throughout the year.   The best AirPods 4 deals The best AirPods Pro 3 deals The […] - [Google’s AI video generator is getting better editing and more audio](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-ai-video-generator-is-getting-better-editing-and-more-audio/): Google is making videos created with the AI filmmaking tool Flow even more realistic — and harder to identify as AI-generated at first glance. The company announced Wednesday that users can add in and change the shadows and lighting of their AI videos. The expanded editing features in Flow are tied to the Veo 3.1 update, also announced on Wednesday, which Google says does a better job of making a video based on the images submitted as a prompt.   Flow users will also be able to generate videos with audio using several of the tool’s new features. Users can make […] - [‘Sovereign AI’ Has Become a New Front in the US-China Tech War](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/sovereign-ai-has-become-a-new-front-in-the-us-china-tech-war/): OpenAI has announced “AI sovereignty” partnerships with governments around the world, but can proprietary models compete with Beijing’s open source offerings? - [Samsung officially teases Moohan headset launch for next week](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/samsung-officially-teases-moohan-headset-launch-for-next-week/): Samsung is finally about to reveal more details about its Project Moohan mixed reality headset. The company just announced a new “Worlds Wide Open” Galaxy event that will take place on October 21st at 10PM ET, where it’s promising to reveal details about the device. The headset will run on Android XR, a new mixed reality platform developed by Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm, and Samsung says that it is “designed to scale across form factors, bringing AI to the center of immersive, everyday experiences.” My colleague Victoria Song initially got to try the headset and Android XR in late 2024, […] - [Netflix is making a big bet on video podcasts](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/netflix-is-making-a-big-bet-on-video-podcasts/): Netflix is no longer just a home for TV shows, movies, documentaries, and live WWE matches — soon, you’ll be able to stream video podcasts, too. The streaming giant announced on Tuesday that it’s partnering with Spotify’s podcast studio and The Ringer to offer 16 series on its platform, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, Conspiracy Theories, as well as The Ringer’s shows on the NFL, NBA, Fantasy Football, and F1. The podcasts will appear on Netflix in the US starting in 2026 before expanding to other countries. As part of the deal, the shows won’t appear “in their entirety” on […] - [Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first to ‘go up in smoke during a bend test,’ JerryRigEverything says](https://sktech.biz/blogs/2025/googles-pixel-10-pro-fold-is-the-first-to-go-up-in-smoke-during-a-bend-test-jerryrigeverything-says/): Google might have yet another Pixel with a battery problem, and this time, affecting the brand new Pixel 10 Pro Fold. In a video published today, YouTuber JerryRigEverything, aka Zack Nelson, subjected the foldable to his usual durability tests, but as he’s filming his bend test — after having already broken the phone open — the battery expands, appears to overheat, emits enough smoke to set off a nearby fire alarm, and ultimately ends up as a charred wreckage on his testing table. To be fair, Nelson puts an extraordinary amount of stress on the phone. He originally breaks open […] ## Pages - [Feeds](https://sktech.biz/feeds/) - [Forum](https://sktech.biz/forum/) - [Games](https://sktech.biz/games/): 🚀 AI Defense v4: Rise of the Core Click below to launch the game in a new tab. ▶️ Play AI Defense 🕹️ How to Play: - [Game: Pattern Recognition Challenge](https://sktech.biz/game-pattern-recognition-challenge/): Pattern Recognition Challenge 🎯 Pattern Recognition Challenge 🎯 User: 0 | AI: 0 Loading… Submit End Game Reset Game - [Refund and Returns Policy](https://sktech.biz/refund_returns/): Overview Our refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases. Additional non-returnable items: To complete your […] - [3D Printing](https://sktech.biz/3d-printing/): 3D Printing Discover a world of limitless possibilities with our premier 3D printing services. Our cutting-edge technology and skilled team will transform your digital designs into tangible objects with precision and efficiency. From prototypes to customized products, we deliver excellence and exceptional outcomes for individuals and businesses alike. At SK Tech, we specialize in providing high-quality 3D printing services tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a large corporation, our cutting-edge technology and skilled team are here to bring your ideas to life. With our state-of-the-art 3D printers, we can transform your digital […] - [My account](https://sktech.biz/my-account/) - [Checkout](https://sktech.biz/checkout/) - [Cart](https://sktech.biz/cart/) - [Shop](https://sktech.biz/shop/) - [Social Media Feed](https://sktech.biz/social-feed/) - [Updates](https://sktech.biz/blogs/) - [Privacy Policy](https://sktech.biz/privacy-policy/): Who we are Our website address is: https://sktech.biz. Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment. Media If you upload images to […] - [SK Tech | 3D Printing Services in Pune Nashik | Prototypes & Custom Products](https://sktech.biz/): One Stop For all Tech Needs One Industry All Solution About Us About Us 3D Printing and Technology We help you make your imagination to reality by the advanced process of 3D Printing. We provide assistance in terms of technological needs. Learn More Red Rooms makes online poker as thrilling as its serial killer March 30, 2026 Juliette Gariépy’s Kelly-Anne is an uncomfortable mystery. | Image: Nemesis Films Productions It’s rare for a movie to get technology… Read More Bluesky’s new app is an AI for customizing your feed March 30, 2026 The latest app from the team behind Bluesky […] ## Products - [Raspberry Pi 4 Case Mac Mini Style](https://sktech.biz/product/raspberry-pi-4-case-mac-mini-style/): Mac Mini Style RaspberryPi Case Designed for RaspberryPi 4 (Raspberry PI not Included) All I/O accessible. micro SD card slot accessible 30×30 Fan slot compatible. (Fan Not Included) - [Lampshade 4](https://sktech.biz/product/lampshade-4/): Standard Lampshade Dense - [Lampshade 3](https://sktech.biz/product/lampshade-3/): Standard Lampshade - [Lampshade 2](https://sktech.biz/product/lampshade-2/): Standard Lampshade - [Lithophane](https://sktech.biz/product/lithophane/) - [Lampshade 1](https://sktech.biz/product/1647/): Standard Lampshade ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/sktech.biz/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)